Treend, El Camino Real Apply Early Pressure, 6-1

El Camino Real High right-hander Pat Treend predicts that it’s going to take one mighty effort to knock his ballclub out of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs.

Kick dirt on us, he says. Run on us, he says. Throw bullets by us or throw them at us. That’s what it will take--if not more--to knock off the second-seeded Conquistadores, who defeated visiting North Hollywood, 6-1, in a first-round game Friday.

“I’m not trying to sound cocky,” Treend said. “But I don’t think we’re going to lose because we played a bad game. The seniors on this team have been together too long to let down now.”

Treend (11-0) will have the chance to back up his words, because the road to Dodger Stadium--site of the championship game--runs right through him.

Treend tossed a six-hitter and struck out eight to beat North Hollywood (10-12). The Conquistadores (19-2-1) will play host to Birmingham on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Birmingham defeated Sylmar in nine innings Friday, 14-13.

Because of the playoff schedule, Treend is expected to start again Wednesday. And if El Camino Real wins Friday, Treend likely will get the ball in the final May 30.

Treend has reason to bluster--he has backed it up this season by blowing heat. The senior who will play next season at UC Santa Barbara recorded his 11th complete game in 12 starts.

The lone blemish? Treend was yanked from a midseason game against Granada Hills because he had a severe head cold. Still, his fastball was clocked at 85 m.p.h.

“He’s a totally different player from last year,” catcher Bobby Kim said of Treend. “He’s a great pitcher now.”

North Hollywood scored its only run in the fourth when junior designated-hitter Mike Lewis slammed a 2-0 fastball over the fence in right-center. Otherwise, North Hollywood struggled to mount a rally. Through the first five innings, Lewis’ homer and a popup to left were the only balls hit out of the infield.

El Camino Real knocked right-hander Sam Ciaramilaro (3-5) out in the third inning, by which time North Hollywood trailed, 3-0. Run-scoring doubles by Treend and Kim sparked a two-run rally in the third.

After El Camino Real scored an unearned run in the fifth, Greg Lederman--who had not played in two weeks because of a groin injury--added a two-run single in the sixth to complete the scoring.