HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS : Grant Pitchers Still Mired in Slump, 14-4

Grant High baseball Coach Tom Lucero knew it would be difficult trying to defend a City 4-A title without pitching standout Rodney Beck, who finished his outstanding high school career by signing with the Oakland A’s last June.

But Lucero couldn’t have imagined how slowly his inexperienced pitchers would come around. In the first two games of the season, they allowed 21 runs. Tuesday, Lucero watched them hit rock bottom.

Three Grant pitchers allowed 18 walks and North Hollywood needed only eight hits to rout the Lancers, 14-4, in an East Valley League game at Grant.

“I try and tell the team not to worry about last year,” Lucero said. “We’re having difficulty just playing basic baseball.”

Grant (0-3) staked right-hander David Jelmeland to a 3-1 lead, but the junior couldn’t get out of the fourth inning, allowing seven runs. He walked six of the 10 batters he faced in the inning and in one stretch threw 14 straight balls.

“It’s tough. Beck was probably the best pitcher ever to come out of Grant,” Jelmeland said. “I’m just trying my best. I don’t want to be compared with anybody.”