Newhall-Saugus’ Offense Awakens in 10-2 Victory

All Panorama City Coach Scott Smith had hoped for going into Saturday’s American Legion District 20 game against Newhall-Saugus was to hang onto the lead in the Eastern Division. What he did not expect, however, was a shelling from what could have been the battleship New Jersey.

Newhall-Saugus, the Northern Division leader, banged out 16 hits and made good use of the 340-foot fence in left-center field, over which it directed four home runs in a 10-2 victory at Saugus High.

“I couldn’t believe that,” Smith said. “Our pitchers are super. This is the first time we’ve been hit hard.”

Roger Salkeld, better known for the rockets he delivers with his arm, launched one with his bat to start the fireworks Saturday. With his team leading, 4-2, in the third inning, Salkeld belted a two-run home run. Two batters later, John Lopata’s solo blast gave Newhall-Saugus a 7-2 advantage.

Brad Anderson teed off on relief pitcher Carlos Concha’s first pitch in the sixth and Corey Byars’ two-run, eighth-inning home run made the score 10-2.

According to Newhall-Saugus Coach Tom Pedersen, his team is breaking out of a shell.

“This is a good-hitting team”, he said. “We’ve been in a hitting slump the past two weeks. I was pleased. It takes some of the pressure off the defense.”

Canyon High right-hander Scott Thomason went the distance for Newhall-Saugus, scattering eight hits and recording seven strikeouts while yielding only an unearned run.

“It’s good to have a pitcher that you know can go all the way,” Pedersen said. “He doesn’t get tired.”

Panorama City took a short-lived 2-1 lead in the third on an error and consecutive hits.

Davy Garcia reached first on a throwing error and Shane Wight singled to left, sending Garcia to third. Garcia scored on a wild pitch as Wight went to second. Joe Cascione followed with a double to the center-field fence off Thomason, scoring Wight.