It’s always fun when a team takes the next step and goes from living in the shadows to contender. You have to be impressed with what South Pasadena did on Friday. The Tigers upended Monrovia, 8-2, in the Rio Hondo League opener for both schools. Indiana-bound Shelby Gogreve is arguably the area’s best infielder. Batting leadoff for the Tigers, Gogreve was batting .615 with a .722 on base percentage and a 1.462 slugging percentage. She has two home runs, three doubles and a triple heading into Friday’s game. But it’s not just Gogreve making waves. Rochester College-bound Courtney Dunlap is a senior utility player batting .533 with a 1.267 slugging percentage as she plays third, first, catcher and DP, with a baffling four triples and three doubles. Cynthia Ream-Garcia is a freshman to keep an eye on. She is batting .333 playing first base and is kind of a force of nature. Marrissa Baca is pitching good enough to win most games with a current 2.45 era, but it is a little scary how good she could be if she could become a little more consistent. If I had to pick a softball game of the week, without a doubt it’s South Pasadena at La Caada on Friday.