Salkeld Suspension Shakes Up Saugus in 6-4 Loss

Canyon High scored three times in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday to post a 6-4 upset of Golden League rival Saugus, which played without scheduled starter Roger Salkeld. The standout right-hander was levied a one-game suspension by school officials for cutting a class earlier in the day.

The win lifted the Cowboys (10-9 overall, 7-3 in league play) one game behind first-place Saugus (14-4-2, 8-2) with five games to play.

Salkeld, who will be eligible to play Friday against Burroughs-Ridgecrest, was prohibited from athletic participation under school rules for failing to return to class after an earthquake drill, according to Saugus assistant coach Bill Bolde.

Salkeld, who is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the nation, is 7-0 with 100 strikeouts and an 0.82 earned-run average in 59 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-5 senior pitched a one-hitter with seven strikeouts three weeks ago to defeat Canyon, 5-0.

Salkeld watched the game from the dugout and said after the game that he was angry at himself and expected teammates to be angry with him, too.

“I wouldn’t doubt if they were,” Salkeld said. “They should be. But there’s nothing I can do about it now, except put it behind me. I’m just real mad.”

Canyon scored three unearned runs in the seventh inning to take its third and final lead. Rick Gombos, who drove in four runs, singled to score the tying run and the ball got past left fielder Matt Tull, allowing Jason Stanley to score from first. Pinch-runner Ben Ealy later scored on the front end of a double steal.

Despite suffering the loss, Scott Warr (4-2) pitched a six-hitter and hit a three-run home run in the sixth to give Saugus a 4-3 lead. Catcher J. B. Johnson also hit a home run for Saugus.

The loss was the second in a row for Saugus.