Their Shifts Are Over but There’s More Yard Work Left

Finally, a postseason game for Paul Diaz. And a little long-overdue attention.

Seems a shame that in three seasons as a starting pitcher for St. Francis High, Diaz, a hard-throwing senior right-hander, never hurled his effective slider beyond Mission League play. Especially this year.

Diaz, who will play for the East squad in the Bernie Milligan all-star baseball game today at Cal State Northridge, posted a 7-2 record and 1.36 earned-run average in 61 1/3 innings. Yet St. Francis (11-9-1 overall) failed to qualify for the Southern Section Division I playoffs, finishing fourth in league play behind Loyola, Chaminade and Crespi.

Diaz (5 feet 10, 175 pounds) defeated Loyola and Crespi, and pitched a complete game in a 10-inning, 1-1 tie with Chaminade. Chaminade and Crespi each managed only a solo home run against Diaz.

“Our intensity definitely was much higher with Paul pitching,” St. Francis Coach Bob Evans said.

“There was just a feeling that if we let a guy get on base it wasn’t a concern. It was going to take an awful lot to score against Paul. I didn’t see anybody better this year.”

Said Chaminade Coach Denny Barrett: “They’re a different team with Diaz on the mound.”

Such has been the consensus among opposing coaches during Diaz’s days with the Golden Knights.

Diaz, 14-9 in his career, was 5-0 in league play this season, recording victories against every opponent, except Chaminade. St. Francis was 2-4 in league play with Diaz in the dugout.

Diaz had 70 strikeouts and only 15 walks and did not allow more than two earned runs in any game.

Statistics, as even Diaz points out, often fail to tell the entire story. But this one says plenty: In three seasons, no league opponent has defeated Diaz twice.

“You could tell the team was more confident when I pitched,” Diaz said. “ ‘Paul’s pitching. We’re going to win today for sure.’ ”

Diaz, who sat out between starts, describes the season as “a bit frustrating.” He declined an offer to sign before the season with Loyola Marymount, hoping a better offer would come along.

None have. However, Loyola Marymount still is interested and so is UC Santa Barbara. Diaz, who was not chosen in this month’s amateur draft, also is considering attending UCLA as an invited walk-on.

As for accolades, Diaz, a second-team selection to The Times’ All-Valley team, said playing for a mediocre team at a small parochial school didn’t exactly place him in the spotlight.

“If I pitched for Kennedy, I’d be first-team All-Valley,” Diaz said. “I’m not saying I’m cocky, but I think I’m just as good as a lot of pitchers around.

“I’m not upset. I’m glad I went to St. Francis, education-wise and spiritual-wise. Baseball is an important part of my life. But God and family and friendship and all that . . . it’s more important to me than baseball.”

Diaz, who aspires to become a child psychologist, is actively involved in his church and has led religious retreats throughout school. He isn’t banking on a baseball career but if one develops being a good role model will go along with it.

“There really aren’t too many positive role models today,” Diaz said.

Said Evans: Diaz already is one.

“He’s really got his act together,” Evans said. “He’s got real strong values, a good perspective on life. He has an idea how to pitch and he’s a very coachable kid. Wherever he ends up, that coach is going to get a gem.”