Dean Helps Chatsworth Notch Rare Win Over San Fernando

Doug Dean, seizing the opportunity to aid his cause when others failed him, led Chatsworth High on Thursday to its first baseball victory over San Fernando in 15 years.

Dean tossed a five-hitter, struck out nine and allowed one earned run as Chatsworth defeated the Tigers, 5-4, in a Northwest Valley Conference game at Chatsworth.

“Doug really battled--he wanted the win,” Chatsworth Coach Tom Meusborn said. “He did it at the plate and he did it on the hill.”

Dean (2-1) cruised through the first four innings, allowing one hit as Chatsworth (6-2, 4-0 in league play) took a 1-0 lead. San Fernando, which had not lost to Chatsworth in Coach Steve Marden’s 15-year tenure, going 7-0-1 in that span, scored an unearned run in the fifth to tie the score, 1-1.

With Chatsworth runners at first and second and none out in the fifth, San Fernando (5-3, 3-1) went into a pronounced defensive shift called “The Fist.” In the alignment, used in sacrifice-bunt situations, the shortstop stands near second base to cut down the baserunner’s lead, the second baseman charges and covers the right side of the infield, the first baseman stays near the bag and the pitcher covers the area between the third-base line and the mound.

Dean somehow looped a bunt over the head of pitcher Canto Franco (1-2) for a single, loading the bases. After Nestor Martinez drove in a run with a ground out and Mitch Root was intentionally walked, Thurman Williams singled to left to give Chatsworth a 4-1 lead. Root scored on a sacrifice fly by Adam Pearlman.

San Fernando (5-3, 3-1) scored three times in the sixth to pull within 5-4 when the Chatsworth outfield twice caved in. With one on, one run in and one out, Luis Rodriguez lofted a fly ball to right-center that fell untouched between outfielders Scott Carpenter and Williams for a gift double.

One out later, with runners still at second and third, Ethan Rodriguez sent a pop-up to short center. Williams jogged under the ball but dropped it while making a one-handed swipe, allowing two unearned runs. Dean threw out Lennie Avalos at first on a bunt for the third out.

After a one-out error in the seventh, Dean retired the final two batters.

“He took charge,” Meusborn said. “He called off the third baseman on that bunt and held together when the outfield fell apart. It was his game.”