JetHawks Arrive, Lancaster Takes Off

Somehow the World Series broke out in Lancaster on Tuesday night.

It was just the home opener for the Class-A Lancaster JetHawks--and the first minor league game in Los Angeles County since 1957.

But the JetHawks’ 7-3 victory over the Visalia Oaks at the Hangar had the feeling of the postseason, and it wasn’t just because of the chilly weather.

Maybe it was the marching band on the field.

Or the half-dozen television crews milling around.

Or the 500 people crowded against the gates before the stadium was opened more than 90 minutes before game time.

Or the politicians swarming around the field.

Or the crowd of 6,603, a quarter of whom didn’t even have seats.

Or the hundreds of balloons released.

Or the fireworks during the national anthem.

Since the Riverside Pilots announced last July that they would be moving to Lancaster for the 1996 season, excitement in the Antelope Valley has steadily grown, reaching Tuesday night’s crescendo.

Dan Hubbard, JetHawks’ director of media relations, said more than 50 media credentials were issued to newspapers, radio and television stations from the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles.

Members of the Hatch family, who were among the first to scamper into their second-row seats behind the JetHawk dugout, said they called to get season tickets in October.

“We’ve been in the valley for 35 years and this is a big deal,” said Robert Hatch, sitting with his wife Pam and sons Chris, 14, and Bryan, 10. “There really hasn’t been anything to do in Lancaster.”

As the fans filed in, bundled in jackets and sweatshirts, many wearing new blue JetHawk caps, the kids raced to the railing by the edge of the field, where the players gladly obliged them with autographs, right up to game time.

“If you go to an Angels’ game they have security and you can’t go near the dugouts without having an expensive ticket,” said 13-year-old Jason Jones of Lancaster. “Here you can go right up to the dugout and get all kinds of autographs.”

Even among the players, there was a sense that this was not just another minor league game.

“I’ve got a little adrenaline going now,” said catcher Scot Sealy, a 26-year-old minor league veteran. “We’re just going to have to try to play it like it’s any other game, but it’ll be tough to do.”

The player who fell into the hottest spotlight was right-hander Ken Cloude, a 21-year-old from Baltimore in his first season in the California League.

“I haven’t been able to sleep real well lately,” Cloude said a day before the game. “I don’t know if it’s nerves or what. It’s going to be something I’ve never experienced in my life, pitching a home opener.”

The players were introduced and lined up along the foul lines, just like in the World Series. The final and loudest ovation was for K.B., the purple hawk mascot with a rocket strapped to his back. K.B. stands for Kaboom.

Just before the national anthem, the JetHawks sprinted to their positions, each accompanied by a member of a local youth baseball team.

Cloude’s first pitch was a fastball that Visalia’s David Roberts took for a strike. The ball was quickly taken out of the game. Cloude retired the Oaks in order in the top of the first.

In the bottom of the first, after Shane Monahan walked, Jose Cruz Jr. got the first JetHawk hit.

James Clifford got the first run batted in when his routine pop fly into shallow center field was grabbed by the gusting wind and dropped untouched, allowing Monahan to score.

Carlos Villalobos accounted for another milestone by drilling a line drive over the left-field fence for a three-run home run, giving the JetHawks a 4-0 lead.

The JetHawks, who have won nine of their first 13 games, took a 6-0 lead after one inning and Cloude retired the first eight hitters.

Cloude cruised in his most effective outing of the season, allowing one run in seven innings, using 89 pitches. He had eight strikeouts and no walks.

Said Manager Dave Brundage: “You couldn’t ask for a better start.”

JetHawks 7, Visalia 3

Visalia: 001 000 011 -- 3 6 1

JetHawks: 600 000 01x -- 7 11 1

Nartker, Jordan (1), Southall (6) and De La Rosa; Cloude, Pearce (8), Thompson (8) and Sealy.

W--Cloude (1-0). L--Nartker (1-1). S--Thompson (2).

2B: J--Lanza, Monahan, Sturdivant. 3B: J--Monahan. HR:V--Sanchez (3). J--Villalobos (1), Sealy (2).

Records: Visalia 5-8; JetHawks 9-4.