N. Hollywood Grins and Bears It in 16-5 Loss

No one can ever accuse North Hollywood High baseball Coach Brian York of not having a sense of humor. Especially after his team was trounced by Chatsworth, 16-5, Wednesday in the first round of the City Section 4-A playoffs at Chatsworth.

“We tried to help them test their new electronic scoreboard and run as many numbers up as we could,” York said. York then turned toward the scoreboard behind right field and gave it a brief inspection. “It seems to be working fine.”

York’s players displayed a similar sense of humor as they rallied for four much-too-late runs in the seventh inning.

“We’ve got them right where we want them now,” one player shouted from the dugout.

“You’ve got to have fun at what you’re doing,” York said, explaining his team’s collective levity. “Laughter prevents insanity.”

For York’s sake, it had better. Watching North Hollywood’s defense was enough to drive any coach crazy. The Huskies’ eight errors resulted in eight unearned runs.

North Hollywood third baseman Darrin Wolf made three throwing errors, including two in the middle of Chatsworth’s four-run sixth.

“We were brutal,” York said.

Chatsworth Coach Bob Lofrano took things more seriously. The Chancellors enjoyed a 12-1 lead after five innings behind an 11-hit attack that included a two-run home run by Jeff Rubenstein in the third inning. But Chatsworth continued to play aggressively until the end.

“I want our intensity to last for 21 outs,” Lofrano said. “That’s not too much to ask.”

Did York think Chatsworth was pouring on the runs? “It bothered me a little ,” York said. “In high school ball most coaches tend to go for 10 runs and then call off the dogs. I thought they could have called off the dogs a little earlier.”

Explained Lofrano: “We didn’t pour it on by stealing bases. We took the extra base when we had the chance. There’s a difference.”

Chatsworth (18-6) scored four in the second inning off losing pitcher Eddie Velarde (4-3). Ty Powell had an RBI triple and Rubenstein, who was 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs, followed with a double. The Chancellors, who had14 hits, scored three runs in the third on Rubenstein’s home run and two North Hollywood errors.

Chatsworth scored twice in the fourth, three times in the fifth and four times in the sixth. Rex McMackin was 2 for 4 with an RBI double for Chatsworth.

Chong Lee’s two-run double triggered the four-run seventh inning for North Hollywood (11-8).