Trevor Bauer pitches Hart past Canyon Springs

In 1999, Newhall Hart pitcher Jamie Shields was 11-0 and led his team to the Southern Section Division II baseball championship.

It was a standard of excellence few at Hart expected to be duplicated, but Tuesday, junior right-hander Trevor Bauer continued to show that he is a worthy successor, setting a school record for most victories by improving to 12-0 in Hart's 4-0 victory over Moreno Valley Canyon Springs in a Southern Section-Toyota Division I second-round playoff game at Canyon Springs.

Bauer gave up three hits -- none after the third inning -- and lowered his earned-run average to 0.79. He struck out three and walked two in coming up with his fourth shutout of the season, helping to eliminate the Inland Valley League champion Cougars (17-7).

Devin Rodriguez, a junior first baseman, was the key hitter for Hart (23-6). He had a run-scoring single in the first inning and a run-scoring double in the seventh, when the Indians scored two runs to break open a close game.

Canyon Springs, known for its speed and for putting pressure on pitchers by avoiding the strikeout, kept battling Bauer, but his toughness and competitiveness always kept him one step ahead.

"They put the ball in play real well," Bauer said. "There were pitches I thought they'd strike out on."

He let his fielders do their job, and what terrific fielders he has. Third baseman Jenzen Torres made a tough play on a bunt. Shortstop Trevor Matern backpedaled into left field to make a catch. Catcher Bryan Lucas threw out a runner trying to steal second base.

And Bauer made perhaps the best defensive play himself. Tanner Hemphill led off the sixth inning with a bunt that went over Bauer's head and landed just beyond the mound. Bauer picked it up with his bare hand and threw the ball while twisting his body, the throw reaching first base in time for the out.

"I played shortstop my whole life until I came to high school," he said.

His shortstop days are over because he's a pitcher with a bright future. He has scholarship offers from UCLA and Stanford and could end up graduating in December to begin college early.

First, though, he is trying to win a Division I title. With Bauer and left-hander Mike Montgomery (8-1), Hart has a one-two pitching combination that might be the best in the Southland.

"I've been around a long time, and I've never had two guys with major league caliber at the same time," Coach Jim Ozella said.

Both keep pushing each other while peaking at the right time.

"I think they take a lot of pride in going out and throwing zeros," Ozella said. "For high school kids, I'm pretty impressed with the maturity they've shown and the growth they've made."

Shields has gone on to become the ace for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Bauer could be following the path blazed before him.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com