Long Day of Setbacks Won’t Mar Future of Robinson or Harvard

Harvard High’s baseball team will have better days. So will Merritt Robinson.

Over the course of 3 1/2 hours, Harvard was pummeled by Leuzinger, 19-4, in the Pioneer League opener for both teams Wednesday afternoon at Franklin Field in Encino. Harvard used four pitchers allowed 15 walks, 14 hits and got little help from the Harvard defense, which committed three errors.

Robinson, Harvard’s senior center fielder, went 0 for 4, flying out to the outfield four times in a lost day for both him and his team.

“I’m hitting the ball well, it just doesn’t seem to be falling in,” Robinson said after the game. “I’m seeing a lot of breaking pitches, and maybe I’m pressing a bit up there.”

Robinson need not worry too much; his future already is assured.

After considering playing baseball for Stanford or Hawaii, the 6-2 180-pound athlete signed a letter of intent Feb. 14 to play football for Rice on a full scholarship. He was an All-Pioneer League selection at wide receiver the past two seasons.

Choosing a college turned out to be easier than picking his No. 1 sport.

Robinson, the Saracens’ No. 1 batter and outfielder, has hit better than .400 the last three seasons. Robinson, the Saracens’ No. 1 pitcher, is 3-0 with an earned-run-average of 1.03.

“He’s the best all-around athlete I’ve coached in 12 years,” Harvard baseball Coach Jim Brink said. Robinson may get a chance to play two sports at Rice but still isn’t sure which game he prefers.

“I’m not really sure yet, I think I like baseball a little more than football,” Robinson said. “I think right now it might be my better sport. But I am ready to go out there and play football.”

Either way, Chili, as his teammates call him because of his resemblance to Chili Davis of the San Francisco Giants, will bring a little heat to his chosen sport. When asked his best attribute as an athlete, he answers with a single word: “Speed.”

“I can get to a lot of balls in center field other people couldn’t get to,” said Robinson, who has been timed 4.5 over 40 yards.

That speed won’t hurt chasing down footballs, either.

What Robinson couldn’t chase down Wednesday was a powerful hitting exhibition put on by Leuzinger.

Ray Robles and Johnny Blood, the first two batters in the Olympians’ lineup, reached base 10 times in a combined 12 at-bats. The rest of the lineup took turns driving them home, as Leuzinger (10-6) scored 11 runs in the first two innings.