Halcovich Offers His Six-Hitter as State Evidence

Frank Halcovich isn’t prejudiced--he beats everybody.

At least everybody he has faced this season. Backed by a 13-hit offensive explosion that included a home run, a triple and two doubles, the College of the Canyons pitcher threw a six-hitter Saturday to beat Sacramento City, 10-0, in the second round of the California Community College Baseball Championships at Blair Field in Long Beach.

The win--surprisingly his first shutout this season--boosted Halcovich’s record to 14-0. Following his effort, Halcovich was named a repeat selection as state player of the year, becoming the first player ever to do so.

The win boosts Canyons into the third round of the double-elimination tournament. The Cougars play Rancho Santiago today at 2 p.m. at Blair Field. Earlier this season, Canyons defeated Rancho Santiago, 9-8. The winner of today’s game plays for the state title, Monday at 10 a.m. at Blair Field.

“Halcovich did a hell of a job,” said Sacramento City Coach Jerry Weinstein, whose team is 32-11-1 this season. “He had great location and he is just a good pitcher. I understand he has done this to a lot of people this year, so, we’re not in the minority. He is as good a pitcher as we have seen all season. What’s his record? 14-0? That answers it for you.”

Halcovich also had two hits and scored twice. The only Canyons starter who didn’t have a hit, Alex Vasquez, had a sacrifice bunt. Right fielder Chris Cota was 3 for 5 with a run batted in. Cota went without a hit in Canyons’ 5-3 win over Butte on Friday in the first round.

“I got a little frustrated yesterday,” Cota said. “But today, I decided I had better hit the ball to help out.”

Everyone got in on the act for Canyons. First baseman Scott Drury homered off Sacramento City starter Andy Berg (10-6) for his second home run of the tournament and his 13th this season. Shortstop Don Erickson tripled in two runs in the ninth. Center fielder Bob Clark had two singles and scored twice. Second baseman Vic Sotelo doubled in a run. Catcher Pete Kuld doubled and picked a runner off first.

“Our statistics, while they’re very good, are really not awesome,” Canyons Coach Mike Gillespie said. “One year we had four in the .425 range. And now we have a lineup of, say, .300 hitters. The point being, I do believe that day in and day out we send nine tough outs to the plate. That doesn’t mean that everyday we’re going to have this kind of spread throughout our lineup. But I think that over a stretch of time, everybody will contribute.”

Halcovich may be called on to contribute again before the four-day, eight-team tournament ends. Halcovich said he will have had enough rest to try to avenge his losing effort against Cerritos in the 1985 championship game.

“I had a chance last year and I let it get away,” Halcovich said. “I’m not going to let it get away two years in a row.”