Sophomore Weighs In for Monroe

Monroe High sophomore Adam Kaplan certainly doesn’t look the part of a power pitcher capable of making opposing batters look helpless.

Kaplan is 5-foot-8, weighs 120 pounds and wasn’t even on the varsity when the season began. But it was Kaplan who struck out 10 Reseda batters, leading the Vikings to a 4-1 victory Thursday in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game.

Reseda (10-8, 8-6 in league play) had knocked Monroe (9-12, 8-6) out of a first-place tie in the Mid-Valley League with a 2-0 victory Tuesday.

The Vikings regained a share of the league lead and meet Reseda in the final game of the regular season May 14, a matchup that will likely decide the league title.

“This was the biggest game of the year for us,” Monroe Coach Jeff Brand said. “We could have either let down and let them beat us again or fight back. We fought back.”

Monroe fought back behind Kaplan (3-1), who gave up four hits and walked three, throwing a complete game.

Leadoff hitter Brian Menkin was the only Reseda batter with success against the right-hander, reaching base four times and driving in Reseda’s only run with a third-inning double.

Kaplan was devastating to the heart of the Reseda order with seven strikeouts against Frank Casaccia, Jason Woolman and Isaac Lopez.

“He stayed strong all game long,” Monroe catcher Chuck Butler said. “He’s not the most intimidating guy, but he’s got two more years to fill out. I’m just really proud of him and the way he pitched.”

Kaplan nearly didn’t get the start. Following Tuesday’s loss, Brand considered starting Scott Cave or Drew Devine before settling on Kaplan, who has pitched well in league play.

Kaplan was slightly shaky in the first two innings, but calmed down after a brief meeting on the mound with Butler.

“I just told him to put it where I was holding my glove,” Butler said. “And he started doing it.”

The Vikings capitalized on wildness by Reseda’s Travis Rutter in the third and fourth, parlaying three hits, three walks and two hit batsmen into a 3-1 lead.

Monroe added a run off Alfredo Saenz in the fifth after a leadoff triple by Sigi Arroyo, who scored on a ground ball by Joe Nocera.