Reseda Strands 13 in 8-4 Loss : Inability to Deliver in Clutch Allows Encino-Crespi to Prevail

The basepaths must have felt like a desert island to the 13 runners Reseda left on base Wednesday in an 8-4 loss to Encino-Crespi in an American Legion District 20 game at Reseda High.

They were marooned, left to roast in the searing sun while watching teammates strike out twice with two out and the bases loaded, and once with two out and two men aboard. Reseda’s inability to deliver key hits proved the difference.

“We just didn’t come up with a big hit when we needed to,” Reseda Coach Frank DesEnfants said. “We had our opportunities. . . . Today, we didn’t do the job.”

Said Encino Coach Scott Muckey: “I think the difference in the game basically was that we made some big plays. . . . It seemed like they were on base all the time. They were at the door.”

Reseda jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first but Encino tied the score in the second then added four more in the fourth. Sidewinder Dan Carroll relieved Encino starter and winner Pat Bennett (3-2) with a 6-3 lead and one out in the fifth. Carroll allowed two hits and one run in the final 2 2/3 innings.

“They held us, then they brought in the big guy, Dan Carroll, to shut the door,” DesEnfants said. “I think what affected us today was Dan Carroll. The kid’s a premier pitcher.”

While Reseda was leaving everyone but the manager on base, Encino used sacrifice flies to score three of its runs. “I thought we did a pretty good job at the plate,” Muckey said.

The game had postseason implications. Reseda (10-5) is holding onto second place in the Western Division and Encino (9-7) is hoping for a wild-card berth.