Antoon Snaps Slump With a 3-Run Double to Key 7-6 Comeback

Positive thinking--not to mention a game-winning three-run double by Jeff Antoon--helped rally Van Nuys-Notre Dame to a 7-6 victory over Glendale at Birmingham High on Thursday in the second round of the District 20 American Legion playoffs.

“Not to be arrogant or anything,” Antoon said afterward, “but at any time, I’m always positive. I’m always the same. Even if I hit a double, even if I’m playing bad, I’m happy.”

In this case, Antoon had the positive result of his double to help blaze happy trails for Van Nuys-Notre Dame.

With one out in the ninth inning, Van Nuys trailed, 5-4, when Antoon came to the plate with the bases loaded. On the first pitch from Glendale starter Trey Pogue, he slammed a double to deep right-center that cleared the bases to give Van Nuys-Notre Dame a 7-5 lead.

Mike Peterson, in relief of starter Joe Kane, pitched the final 2 innings and stranded the tying run at third in the bottom of the ninth to get the win and improve his record to 3-2.

Van Nuys-Notre Dame (18-5) plays Reseda-Cleveland (17-6) today in a game rescheduled for 3 p.m. at Birmingham. Reseda-Cleveland defeated Newhall-Saugus on Thursday, 5-3. The winner of today’s game is assured of being one of the two District 20 teams that advance from this double-elimination tournament to the Area 6 playoffs that begin Aug. 6 at Moorpark College.

Glendale (17-6) plays Newhall-Saugus today at 11 a.m. at Birmingham.

Antoon’s bases-clearing double ignited the team and nearly sent Van Nuys-Notre Dame Coach Jody Breeden into delirium.

“I was so excited watching those guys coming around to score that I came real close to running down and touching home plate with them,” Breeden said. “I really lost my control out there.”

Antoon hadn’t given his coach much reason for excitement recently--he was 0 for 14 going into the game. Antoon, who will return for his senior next season at Notre Dame, has staunchly refused to let the hitless streak rattle his confidence.

“If you’re down, you’re going to go 0 for 28 next time,” he said. “But if you keep positive and think, ‘I’m going to hit,’ you’ll be fine.”

The proof positive for Antoon’s philosophy could be found in the box score, which read 2 for 4 with five runs batted in.

Van Nuys-Notre Dame had sailed into the eighth inning behind Kane with a 4-1 lead when Glendale erupted for four runs. David Berkey tied the score with a two-run single after Jeff Ojeda’s RBI single closed the gap to 4-2. John Gillis then singled home a run to put Glendale ahead, 5-4.

After Antoon’s double in the top of the ninth, Glendale rallied in the bottom of the inning. Gillis’ sacrifice fly scored Julio Carballo to cut the lead to 7-6. Randy Cooper moved to third on the play but, fittingly, Antoon ended the game when he fielded a ground ball by Enrique Martinez and threw to first for the final out.