BOYS

Brian Hernandez

SCHOOL: Hart

SPORT: Baseball

YEAR: Junior

SEASON AT A GLANCE: After losing its best hitters, Brian Baron and Mike Bland, to injuries, Hart needed other players to contribute. Pitching became particularly important, and Hernandez has come through. The transfer from Saugus is 4-0 with an earned-run average of 2.07. Working mainly as a middle reliever, Hernandez has struck out 28 batters in 20 1/3 innings.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: The 6-foot-1 right-hander helped the Indians improve to 7-3, 3-0 in Foothill League play and move into The Times’ regional rankings at No. 6. He struck out seven and allowed only one earned run in five innings. He won in relief against Saugus, and against No. 8 Burroughs. Those teams are Hart’s top challengers in the league.