El Segundo High Maintains Grip on Pioneer Lead by Beating North

El Segundo High starting pitcher David Reed won his fourth Pioneer League game Wednesday, leading the Eagles to a 16-3 victory over host North Torrance.

Reed, a junior, struck out seven and gave up only three hits and one earned run in six innings to improve to 5-1.

“(Reed) is cagey, he can throw a lot of different pitches for strikes,” Eagle Coach Jon Stevenson said.

Reed has an earned-run average of 1.20 and has struck out 46 batters in 35 innings. In Pioneer League play, he is 4-0 with a 1.75 ERA.

El Segundo, which has only two returning starters from last year’s 27-3 team, has won 10 consecutive games. The Eagles (11-3) lead the league with a 6-0 record. North is 1-11-1 and 0-5-1.

“We had some growing pains early in the season, but there was no self-doubt,” Stevenson said. “I told them the key was just relaxing and believing in themselves.”

El Segundo, which entered the game with a .377 batting average in Pioneer League games, had 17 hits against North, including five triples.

Catcher Ryan McCloskey, who leads the Eagles with a .489 average, went three for four with a triple and two runs batted in. Second baseman Marco Estrada was three for five with a double and two RBIs. Left fielder Jeff Kalsbeek was two for three with two triples and an RBI.

North starting pitcher Bryce Primm gave up eight hits and five earned runs in four innings.