Evans Redeems Herself With One-Hit Shutout

Hoover High ace Nancy Evans wanted to make sure that Crescenta Valley absolutely, positively had no doubts about her pitching talent. And beyond that, she had a huge score to settle.

Mission accomplished--on both counts. On Friday, Evans dominated the Falcons from start to finish, tossed a one-hitter with 18 strikeouts and scored the game’s only run to beat Crescenta Valley, 1-0, in a Pacific League game at Hoover.

The Tornadoes’ only loss in 23 games this season was a 3-1 decision to Crescenta Valley last week. Despite a two-hit performance by Evans in that game, the Arizona-bound senior had a season-low five strikeouts and struggled uncharacteristically. That game, she said, was a fluke.

“The first time around I thought that if anybody had just heard of me and had come to (see me pitch) for the first time, they would have said, ‘Who is this person? She stinks,’ ” Evans said.

But Evans (21-1) left little room for doubt in the second meeting.

Crescenta Valley’s Sarah Perez was the only batter to reach base. And that was on a bunt that died five feet from the plate. Otherwise, Evans was perfect. Only three other batters even put the ball in play--and the ball never left the infield.

“My main goal was to beat ‘em because, in my opinion, that first game was a fluke,” Evans said.

Hoover (21-1-1, 7-1 in league play), ranked No. 5 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, scored the only run in the third inning. Evans doubled with one out and advanced to third on Shannon Feliz’s single to left. Kelly Christiansen’s bunt single loaded the bases, then a 2-and-2 riseball got away from catcher Erin Linnemeyer and Evans scored. Feliz also tried to score on the play, but was nailed by Linnemeyer’s toss to pitcher Danielle Robertshaw.

Robertshaw (14-3) gave up six hits and struck out two.

Crescenta Valley (16-3, 6-2, ranked No. 10 in the state), which entered the week with a one-game league lead, suffered its second league loss in three days and fell to second place, a game behind Hoover.