PREP BASEBALL : Cummings’ 4-Hitter Carries Canyon Past Western in Opener

John Cummings of Canyon High School has one pitch in his repertoire that separates him from most pitchers in Orange County.

Cummings, a senior left-hander, throws a hard knuckle-curveball that approaches the plate looking like a fastball but breaks like a conventional curve. The pitch often leaves batters looking silly at the plate.

On Friday, Cummings (8-3) allowed 4 hits and an unearned run and struck out 7 in Canyon’s 6-1 victory over Western in the opening round of the Southern Section 4-A baseball playoffs in Anaheim’s Glover Stadium.

Canyon (18-8) scored all the runs Cummings needed in the third inning when center fielder Ralph Pacheco hit a two-run home run over the left-field fence. The Comanches added another run in the fifth and broke the game open with three runs in the seventh, two scoring on a triple by Cummings.

Western scored its only run in the third inning when Canyon made two errors. Leadoff hitter Jason Diplock reached base on an error and then moved to third when Cummings threw wildly to first base on a pickoff attempt.

Shortstop Troy Babbitt’s single to center scored Diplock as Western (17-9-1) avoided a shutout. Cummings’ seven strikeouts improved his county-leading total to 111.

“I was impressed with Cummings’ command and poise,” said Hack Mitchell, Western coach. “He made us hit the ball on the ground, he got the strikeout when he needed it and began to dominate on the mound once his team got him a lead.

“At this point, he’s not overpowering, but when he becomes a 21-year-old, he’ll be a dominating pitcher. I’ll probably be watching him some day at Anaheim Stadium.”

Hi Lavalle, Canyon coach, said Cummings’ ability to improve his control this season has helped him become an excellent pitcher. He didn’t allow a walk to Western.

“I was worried a little about his control with this heat, but the knuckle-curve today was horrendous on the hitters,” Lavalle said.

“He throws the pitch so hard, I don’t know how he controls it. There’s no way a batter can read the rotation on the pitch.

“When John was younger, he had a habit of overthrowing a lot, but he’s had good control this year. He’s only had one bad outing all season.”

The Comanches also received a big day from right fielder John Thebert, who had two singles and a double and scored three runs batting in the ninth position.

“Thebert broke out of a little slump,” Lavalle said. “He’s been our No. 6 hitter, but I made an adjustment in the lineup because he hasn’t been hitting.”

Thebert hit a ground-rule double in the third inning and scored on Pacheco’s home run. He singled to open the fifth inning and eventually scored on Dan Puskas’ single. Finally, Thebert hit a one-out single in the seventh, stole second and scored on Pacheco’s single up the middle.

Pacheco, batting leadoff, hit a homer, a single, drove in three runs and scored two runs. The only blemish on Canyon’s win was three errors, two of them coming on botched pickoff plays.