Woodfin Needs No Defense, Throws His 1st No-Hitter

After Sylmar High’s Olonzo Woodfin suffered his first loss of the season last week, a 4-0 decision to Poly, Sylmar Coach John Klitsner admitted his team’s defense didn’t do much to help, committing a variety of mental errors behind Woodfin.

On Tuesday, Woodfin found a safer way to win.

The junior left-hander threw his first career no-hitter, striking out 11, as the Spartans (5-1) defeated North Hollywood, 5-2, in an East Valley League game at Sylmar.

Woodfin (4-1) struck out the side in the sixth and seventh innings, raising his season total to 61 in 30 innings. Woodfin, who throws in the 85-m.p.h. range, walked five batters and lowered his earned-run average to 1.14. Both North Hollywood runs were unearned. Sylmar committed five errors.

“He had a strong wind at his back, which only makes him that much tougher,” Klitsner said. “He has been so consistent this year, but we really didn’t give him much defensive support again today.

“It was really cold out there. His control was off a little today, but he was still striking them out with his curveball. He really has great control of his stuff.”

Woodfin struck out at least one batter in every inning but the fifth. In five appearances this season, Woodfin has allowed just five earned runs and has four complete games in four starts.

Sylmar made the most of its five hits, scoring a run in the bottom of the first to erase North Hollywood’s 1-0 lead, and adding a run in the second, two in the third and another in the fourth to give Woodfin a 5-1 lead. North Hollywood scored its final run in the sixth.