Chatsworth Overpowers Cleveland

There was a noteworthy wrinkle to an old story Wednesday afternoon at Cleveland High.

Chatsworth’s talented lineup roughed up Cleveland ace Kirk Surabian for 15 hits in an 8-0 West Valley League win, but news of the Chancellors roughing up any pitcher is far from enlightening.

What was noteworthy about this win was the wily effort of Chatsworth pitcher Pierre Amado, whose three-hit shutout advanced the notion that the senior left-hander is one of the City’s top pitchers. Amado (3-1) walked five and struck out six.

“There may be others who are getting more ink,” Chatsworth Coach Bob Lofrano said. “Pierre does as good a job as anybody.”

“I just try to throw strikes,” Amado said. “This was my best game of the season. I was hurrying things in my other starts but, I just threw nice and easy today.”

Although the quiet Amado shuns publicity, the silent sound of Cleveland bats was the predominant noise of the afternoon. Amado surrendered three singles and found himself in trouble only once when he walked three batters in the third inning with the Chancellors leading, 2-0.

Chatsworth catcher Eric Niece helped negate the threat when he caught Terry Jenkins attempting to steal second for the second out of the inning. Two batters later, a lazy fly ball to center field ended the threat.

Surabian allowed just two runs through five innings for Cleveland (1-2). But Chatsworth (7-1, 3-0 in league play) used four hits and two Cavalier errors to score four times. The Chancellors added two more in the seventh off Surabian (1-1), who allowed 15 hits and 4 walks. Four of the runs were unearned.

The Chatsworth attack was led by second baseman Art Lowe, who had three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Third baseman Joel Wolfe added three hits.

But on this day, the Chatsworth bats could have rested. It was Amado’s turn to shoulder the load.