Sellz in Complete Control, 8-4

Pitcher Stuart Sellz was looking for a challenge when Coach Steve Thompson handed him the ball before Valley North’s American Legion playoff opener against Newhall-Saugus on Tuesday.

The right-hander responded with a complete game, a pleasant surprise with District 20 switching to a nine-inning format.

“I feel a little tired, but I feel good,” Sellz said.

As Valley North advanced, 8-4, at Valley College, Sellz, a 5-foot-9, 135-pounder with a sidearm delivery, sent a team with a .366 batting average to the loser’s bracket.

“Tremendous job, great effort,” Thompson said. “He did what I asked and kept us in the game. I knew he was the kid who could handle that, maturity-wise.”

Sellz (5-1), who entered the game with a 1.03 earned-run average, was not overpowering, but he was savvy.

He struck out five, walked six and scattered eight hits. He was dominant in the first six innings, holding Newhall-Saugus (21-6) to no runs on two hits. He ended two innings by picking a runner off base.

Valley North (21-6) built a 7-0 lead, tagging Newhall-Saugus starter Rick Thomas (4-1) for two runs in the top of the first inning, two in the second, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

“It’s a little easier to pitch, knowing you’ve got a good-hitting club behind you,” Sellz said. “And my defense held up. They did a good job.”

Leadoff batter Mike Webster paced a 13-hit Valley North attack by going four for four. Second baseman Greg Wold delivered two doubles and a single, driving in two runs after he was moved from the No. 3 to No. 5 spot in the order moments before the game when Thompson did some late shuffling.

Shortstop Joe Tillmon, who triggered the two-run sixth with a leadoff triple, anchored the defense with seven assists.

Newhall-Saugus scored twice in the seventh and twice in the ninth, with designated-hitter Chris Baker delivering an RBI-triple and a run-scoring double.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Valley North 8, Newhall-Saugus 4

Valley North 220 012 010 -- 8 13 1

Newhall-Saugus 000 000 202 -- 4 8 0

Sellz and Berger; Thomas, Redfern (6) and Willis.

W--Sellz (5-1).L--Thomas (4-1).

2B: VN--DiPoma, Wold 2; NS--Baker.3B: VN--Tillmon; NS--Baker.

Records: Valley North 21-6; Newhall-Saugus 21-6.

*

Van Nuys East 22, Woodland Hills West 21 (suspended)--The game was called because of darkness after the top of the eighth. The teams had combined for 39 hits by that point.

The game will be continued today at Burroughs High at 4 p.m.

The loser is scheduled to play Newhall-Saugus at 5 at Burroughs. The winner will play Valley North on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Birmingham High.

Mike Acosta had three singles and a double for Van Nuys East and Shawn Smith, Kevin Stromsborg and John Puccinelli each added three hits.

Brad Marks, Woody Cliffords and Gavin Bible each had three hits for Woodland Hills West.