Hart Rocks Pebble Beach Front Nine

Hart plays its home golf matches at Vista Valencia Golf Course, a short layout that will never be confused with Pebble Beach Golf Links.

But the Indians fired a scintillating five-man total of 198 over the front nine at Pebble Beach on Monday to defeat Carmel Valley by a whopping 44 shots.

Pebble Beach, site of several U.S. Opens as well as a regular stop on the PGA Tour, has brought more than a few top professionals to their knees.

Hart had three players--Steve Farris, Jason Semelsberger and Dave Trovato--shoot 38.

Semelsberger is a sophomore and Trovato and Farris are juniors. Senior Spencer Hill recorded four birdies and shot 40. Trovato was even par before he double-bogeyed the ninth hole.

Impressive stuff. Coach Dennis Ford gave the team with some nuggets of wisdom on how to handle the course.

He instructed with his golfers to concentrate on their game, not the million-dollar amenities.

“We spent a lot of time saying, ‘Look at the golf ball until you’ve hit it, then admire the scenery,’ ” Ford said.

*

In a week when the Saugus baseball team went 5-0-1 in five days, shortstop Danny Cato put up monstrous numbers. He had 11 hits in 20 at-bats, raising his batting average from .323 to .412. He drove in 11 runs, scored 11, hit two doubles and belted three home runs.

Cato, a senior, is 5-foot-6, 155 pounds. Asked about the sudden surge in power, he shrugged.

“It’s from God,” he said. “I couldn’t hit the ball on my own this well.”

Cato now has four home runs.

*

Saugus Coach Doug Worley just got his 300th career victory. So how did he celebrate? Did he go to Disneyland? No, better. He’s taking a Jamaican cruise this week.

Worley, who got No. 300 against Cajon in the Coachella Valley tournament last week, said he didn’t plan it this way. His wife insisted on a Spring Break vacation this year; the timing was coincidental. This is the first vacation for Worley in 23 seasons of coaching.

MID-VALLEY LEAGUE

Mistaken Identity

Birmingham high jumper James Lincoln and the Braves’ distance medley relay team of Ismael Castellanos, Marcos Aguilar, Jose Torres and Richard Rubio didn’t perform as well as hoped for in Saturday’s Arcadia Invitational, but Coach Scott King wasn’t too concerned about their performances, not after what they went through before the meet.

King, the five Birmingham athletes and assistant Kertic Carruth were a few blocks from Arcadia High at approximately 5:15 p.m. Saturday when King noticed several police cars in his rear-view mirrors with their lights flashing.

Figuring that the police must be headed somewhere else, he pulled over. When the cars stopped 30 to 40 meters in back of the van he was driving, King got out to see what was happening and heard the distinct sound of rifles cocking.

“One of the guys said, ‘You make another move like that and we’re going to blow your brains out,’ ” King said. “They told me to get back in the van, turn off the engine and throw the keys out the window.”

After following those instructions, King was told to get out of the van, clasp his hands above his head and walk backward slowly toward the police cars where he was handcuffed. One by one, Carruth and the five athletes went through the same routine.

The van was searched for weapons, and after none were found, they were released and given a police escort to Arcadia High, where the meet was in progress.

King said that the police never explained to him what was going on, although he gathered from listening to the radio in the police car that a report had been made about the driver of a van brandishing a gun at a nearby gas station, where King had filled up on the way to the meet.

“I wouldn’t want to be a police officer in this society,” King said. “But I think they might have over-reacted.”

EAST VALLEY LEAGUE

Driving a Hugo

Poly baseball Coach Chuck Schwal knew junior pitcher Hugo De La Torre was special, but he never expected this. Schwal listed De La Torre as his third pitcher before the season, but claimed the right-hander would be a “darkhorse,” an unexpected winner.

Six weeks later, De La Torre (7-0) just happens to be the winningest pitcher in the region. He had his 23-inning scoreless streak snapped in a Las Vegas tournament game two weeks ago, but has given up only one earned run in 38 1/3 innings for a 0.18 earned-run average.

“He doesn’t overpower anybody, but he hits his spots,” Schwal said. “He throws a knuckle that drops and his curve for a strike.”

De La Torre, who has struck out 26, has allowed 21 hits and six runs.

ALPHA LEAGUE

Streak Snapped

An incredible winning streak came to a halt last week, but senior right-hander Matt Hernandez showed little emotion about it.

Hernandez’s 15-game winning streak, which dated to his sophomore season, ended last week when Warren of Downey defeated L.A. Baptist, 8-6, in the fifth-place game of the Gladstone tournament.

Hernandez (4-1), who has a 1.60 ERA, allowed 11 hits in the complete game.

“I don’t even know if he knew about (the streak),” Coach Mark Bates said.

Hernandez, who is attracting interest from Cal Lutheran, went 10-0 last year and won the final outing of his sophomore season.

MARMONTE LEAGUE

Youth Catching Up

Camarillo softball Coach Darwin Tolzin knew it was a matter of time.

When a team starts seven freshmen and sophomores, the inexperience is sure to show sooner or later.

Camarillo (10-3), the only team to beat Simi Valley this year, played solid softball--until last week. The Scorpions committed five errors--not to mention several mental mistakes--and lost to Thousand Oaks, 5-0. The Lancers ran all over Camarillo, stealing seven bases.

“I’ve been saying all along we’re young and it all finally jumped out at us at one time,” Tolzin said.

After the embarrassing loss, Tolzin asked his players if they wanted to have a Saturday practice to brush up on fundamentals. He wasn’t surprised by the answer. “They all said, ‘Yes, we don’t want to get beat, 5-0, again.’ ”

*

Shortstop Johnny Oliveras drove in nine runs for Channel Islands in a 22-8 victory against Royal. Oliveras’ RBI total was one short of the Ventura County record of 10, set by Westlake’s Mike Lieberthal.

“He just hit every pitch hard,” Coach Al Tarazon said of Oliveras. “He had a line-drive stroke.”

Oliveras, who raised his average 100 points in the game, had two singles, two doubles and a 400-foot grand slam to center field.

*

Royal Coach Dan Maye, mulling the fact that his team walked eight, hit two and made seven errors in the 22-8 loss to Channel Islands said: “We feel lucky we only gave up 22.”

*

Agoura Coach Bryan Maloney got a Gatorade and shaving cream shower after the Chargers’ beat Lompoc, 1-0, to snap a seven-game losing streak.

What, might you ask, was shaving cream doing in the dugout?

Assistant Bruce Beck brought it to use in a pregame prank intended to loosen up the players. First baseman Cory Fish was a victim. He wound up with shaving cream in his glove.

*

Simi Valley freshman David Krewson, who hit a home run in his varsity debut Friday against Agoura, was not only Pioneer player to reward Coach Mike Scyphers for giving him an opportunity. Outfielder Brian Wall, a reserve, started and had two hits, and Nathan Celusta, a pitcher who doesn’t usually hit, drove in two runs.

Scyphers said Simi Valley players have a tradition of debuting well against Agoura. Standout third baseman Ryan Hankins went four for five as a freshman in his debut against Agoura. Last season, Jeff Michael made his first varsity appearance with five RBIs against the Chargers.

*

Newbury Park Coach Gary Fabricius said the fans applauded when the Panthers and Westlake shook hands Friday, in defiance of a league rule. “And they weren’t applauding us winning,” Fabricius said.

CHANNEL LEAGUE

Throw Softly

Hueneme came back to win three games at the San Luis Obispo tournament after losing its opener last weekend, and the primary reason was Sergio Casarez.

Casarez pitched a four-hit shutout against El Segundo on Friday. He came back to throw three more innings Saturday, picking up the victory against St. Ignatius of San Francisco.

Casarez, a sophomore right-hander, has pitched well most of the season, compiling a record of 3-3 with a 3.16 ERA. He beat Hart in the Westside tournament and pitched a six-hitter in a 2-1 loss to Rio Mesa. And he does it with nothing but control.

“The guy is 120 pounds and has arms like pencils,” Coach Reg Welker said. “He’s got the gravity changeup. It drops from lack of speed.”

GOLDEN LEAGUE

A Smash Hit

Quartz Hill Coach Mike Neilson liked what he saw of junior Kyle Goss’ hitting last summer, though as a sophomore, Goss only pitched sporadically and did not bat.

“I saw him hitting in American Legion, so when he came out in September, I said, ‘I’ll give you a shot to swing the bat,’ ” Neilson said. “He’s certainly proved worthy.”

Goss, who plays third base when not pitching, is hitting .551.

*

Littlerock’s top starting pitcher, senior right-hander Jesse Silva, was recently dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons.

Coach Bernie Kyman would not specify why Silva was dismissed, but acknowledged that Silva’s departure would leave a hole in the rotation.

Luckily, Kyman can call on senior Robert Reed, who has appeared in 12 of the team’s 14 games. Reed is 4-2 with a 2.12 ERA.

“He’s been great,” Kyman said.

*

Reed did pitch poorly in two appearances in the Rowland tournament in late March and Littlerock lost its four tournament games by a combined score of 45-18, but Reed and his teammates have since rebounded.

Reed gave up only one run in 10 innings last week, as Littlerock beat Highland and Palmdale.

“In the tournament, we were just a pathetic team,” Kyman said. “If people read it in the paper, they figured the old Littlerock is back.

“I think (last week’s victories) certainly woke some people up.”

*

The leader in earned-run average among Southern Section pitchers after the first month of the season was a freshman, Antelope Valley’s Jeremy Holiday, with a 0.34 mark. Holiday gave up one earned run in his first 20 2/3 innings.

NORTHWEST VALLEY

Tough Call

Taft’s volleyball team thought for an instant it had won a key five-game match against Chatsworth on Monday.

The Toreadors were ahead, 14-10, in the fifth game and serving for the victory. As they were about to set the ball for the possible winning spike, a referee ruled that a Chatsworth player went under the net, a violation that would have given Taft the point, and the match.

Play was stopped and the Toreadors thought the match was over.

But the head referee was unsure of the call, and ruled the point be replayed. Chatsworth won the point and and came back to win the decisive game, 16-14, knocking Taft (7-3, 5-2 in conference play) out of a sole possession of second place. Now both Chatsworth and Taft are two full games behind front-runner Granada Hills, (6-0 in conference play), with only four matches to play, virtually assuring Granada Hills of the conference title.

*

Chatsworth junior pitcher Oscar Bocanegra entered Friday’s game against Cleveland with a 5.48 ERA.

The number dropped to a respectable 2.93 after Bocanegra took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, allowing only an infield hit in that inning before being relieved.

PACIFIC LEAGUE

Back in Action

Hoover baseball Coach Bob Cooper is anxious to get back on the field. Cooper hurt his back two weeks ago lifting a handicapped student at school and hasn’t coached since.

“I sat on the bench in a couple of games over the weekend, but I really miss being out there,” Cooper said. “I really miss practicing with the team and hitting ground balls.”

It could be a while before Cooper can do that, however. He’s only about 50% recovered and still experiences pain. In the meantime assistant Jim Delzell is running the team.

*

Crescenta Valley catcher John French will be back this week after missing two games with a wrist injury. Initially Coach Tony Zarrillo thought French might miss the season, but the good news came Monday.

MISSION LEAGUE

Making a Move

The Chaminade baseball team is on a roll after winning five of six games. Catcher Brandon Gray leads the Eagles with a .442 batting average. He has not struck out in 43 at-bats.

Pitching has also played a huge role in the Eagles’ success. The team ERA is 2.21 and sophomore Gabe Crecion has a 1.70 ERA.

“Our pitching has been out of this world,” Coach Dave Desmond said. “Teams are hitting .209 against us. It’s been incredible.”

Chaminade’s (9-6) hitting will improve when Adam Crecion, Gabe’s older brother, returns to the lineup this week. The senior catcher broke his nose in a collision March 18 and was initially expected to be out for the remainder of the season. He leads the team with a .455 batting average.

*

Crespi sophomore reliever John Cuccias gave up his first earned run in 17 1/3 innings Saturday against St. Francis. The Celts (10-5-1) lost, 13-4.

Catcher Jessie Slade has been out for a couple of games and is questionable this week, according to Coach Scott Muckey. The junior has a sore arm and is unable to throw.

FRONTIER LEAGUE

Talk to Me Later

Moorpark has raced to a 10-3 start, 5-0 in league, behind Brian Garrettson, who is batting .400 and leads six Musketeers who have averages of .300 or higher. He also has five doubles, 14 RBIs, a 4-0 pitching record and 34 strikeouts in 27 innings.

Center fielder Jason Adamson is batting .448 with two home runs, eight stolen bases and has scouts watching him. Rick Collier is batting .434 with seven doubles and 12 stolen bases.

All is well, but Coach David Rhoades warns, “Nobody remembers how you start. It’s how you finish. And that’s been sticking with me.”

LIBERTY LEAGUE

Ready to Contend

First-year Buckley baseball Coach Dan Gilmartin expected a get acquainted year without the burden of big expectations.

Considering the loss of graduated star Taryll Jackson and only four returning players from last year’s league championship team, the approach seemed reasonable.

But after an 8-4 victory in their league opener over favorite Oakwood last week, Gilmartin and the Griffins (6-4 overall) are thinking about repeating. “We’ve had solid pitching,” Martin said. “Our goal now is to win the league.”

Mitch Brim (2-2, 2.28 ERA) a transfer from Montclair Prep, Keith Armstrong (1-2, 2.33) and T.J. Jackson (2-0, 2.21), Taryll’s sophomore brother, have kept the Griffins in nearly every game.

Around the Leagues . . .

* Thirteen of Art Diaz’s 23 hits have gone for extra bases. Diaz, who is batting .469 for Sylmar, has five doubles, six triples and two home runs.

* Against Birmingham Monday, North Hollywood left-hander Mike Delano threw 120 pitches--in relief.

* Chatsworth third baseman Tony Montiel went seven for nine and drove in seven runs last week. He also earned a victory as a relief pitcher.

* Ten of Chatsworth shortstop Bryan LaCour’s 23 hits are for extra bases. The senior has seven doubles, two triples and a home run, and also has 22 RBIs.

* Thousand Oaks third baseman Quincy Samora has only seven hits, but they include two doubles and two home runs. He is leading the team with a .625 slugging percentage.

* Newbury Park’s Ray Clinton (43 innings) and Keith Smith (40 2/3) have pitched 83 2/3 of the team’s 106 innings.

* Rio Mesa’s 30 runs in the second game of a doubleheader against Bell-Jeff on Saturday set a school record. The Spartans’ first four hitters in the lineup combined for 16 hits. Johnny Espinoza had five hits, Steve Arneson and Chad Snyder each collected four and Manuel Perez had three.

* Montclair Prep freshman Tamra Freedman hit four home runs in the Mounties’ 38-1 softball victory over Stephen S. Wise on Monday.

* The Chatsworth softball team has outscored its opponents, 71-5, in eight games.

* Burbank’s Brian Sindle (2-3) has 44 strikeouts and has given up only 13 earned runs in 30 innings.

Kennedy Cosgrove and staff writers Steve Elling, Jeff Fletcher, Irene Garcia, Dana Haddad, Michael Lazarus, Paige A. Leech contributed to this notebook.