Duel Reprise: Douglass Beats Fishman, El Camino Real, 1-0

The much ballyhooed pitchers’ duel that never quite materialized last Friday finally arrived.

It came six days late and without Kennedy High’s Jon Garland, but Antelope Valley’s Sean Douglass and El Camino Real’s Shaun Fishman were happy to oblige.

Douglass and Antelope Valley, ranked No. 5 in the region by The Times, came away with a 1-0 victory in a San Fernando tournament game on Thursday.

Douglass and Fishman, senior right-handers and two of the region’s top pitchers, combined to strike out 17. They allowed seven hits and only six balls out of the infield.

“That was a fun game,” said Douglass (2-0). “I felt good.”

“This is the best start I’ve had in a while--probably since Connie Mack league last July,” said Fishman (1-1).

Fishman was dominant. He struck out 10, nine in the first four innings, and allowed four hits in a complete game. Fishman was behind in the count to only one of the 29 batters he faced.

But two errors by the No. 6-ranked Conquistadores (2-2) in the fifth inning allowed the only run.

With one out, Hector Velez reached on Joe Merchan’s fielding error. Brandon Sadler singled to right and Velez stopped at second.

Kevin Barlow followed with a grounder to second--a possible inning-ending, double-play ball. El Camino Real forced Sadler at second, but shortstop Junior Avina’s relay bounced past first baseman Woody Cliffords. Velez trotted to the plate.

“We need to take a little more ground balls,” Fishman said. “Our defense will get tougher later in the year. It always does.”

Douglass delivered the performance many anticipated when Antelope Valley (4-1) opened against Kennedy, but Douglass was relieved after two innings and the throng at Pierce College grumbled.

Against El Camino Real, he was backed by an errorless defense and allowed three hits while striking out seven in 6 1/3 innings.

“I’ve been in Fishman’s shoes,” Douglass said. “I know what it’s like. But sometimes the defense is good and the pitching is not its best. Our defense was great today. We got to the ball. We made some double plays.”

Indeed, the 1 hour 41 minute contest ended with El Camino Real’s Kurt Birkins lining out to first baseman Velez, who touched the bag for a double play.

The first out of the inning came when Ray Leduc hit a towering drive to the 390-foot sign in left-center with Fishman on first base representing the tying run.

Douglass was replaced by Jeremy Holiday, who faced Birkins.