New Arm Strength Lifts Crescenta Valley

It’s almost unfair.

Crescenta Valley High, which returned one of the region’s top pitchers in junior Melinda Moulden, appears to have pulled another ace from its sleeve.

Freshman Meredith Cervenka is quickly establishing herself as a force.

On Tuesday at Montrose Park, she outdueled two-time All-Valley right-hander Maureen LeCocq and Chaminade, 1-0, in a nonleague game.

Cervenka fired a three-hitter and Crescenta Valley scored an unearned run in the first inning.

“They have a bright future with that young lady,” Chaminade Coach Steve Harrington said.

Crescenta Valley (6-1) was already in good shape with Moulden, who was 17-7 with a 0.34 earned-run average last season.

Cervenka had a no-hitter against Verdugo Hills in her high-school debut, however, and a pitching rotation was born.

“The teams that are successful are the ones that are talent-rich,” Falcon Coach Dan Berry said. “We certainly feel we have two good ones.”

Cervenka (4-0), who has not given up an earned run in 27 innings, allowed one runner to reach second base.

The rotation has been difficult for Moulden.

“It’s been hard, but I want whatever is best for the team,” said Moulden (2-1), who will face Saugus on Friday. “I support the decision.”

LeCocq threw a two-hitter, struck out four and retired 17 of the final 18 batters she faced.

But a Crescenta Valley first inning that featured a misplayed bunt, an infield single, a fielder’s choice and an unsuccessful pickoff attempt cost LeCocq (1-4).

Annmarie Blodgett scored when catcher Lauren Rousselet attempted to pick off Moulden at first with two out and the bases loaded.

Blodgett beat first baseman Amy Biersch’s return throw to the plate.

Blodgett had reached base on a misplayed bunt, advanced to second on a bunt single by Becca Baldridge and went to third on a fielder’s choice.

The one-run deficit was too much to overcome for a Chaminade team that was shut out for the fourth time.

Biersch had two singles and LeCocq added a bunt single for the Eagles (1-4-1), who have scored three runs and batted .187 in six games.

Offensive struggles were not unexpected for a Chaminade team that is playing one of the toughest schedules in the region.

The Eagles were swept in a doubleheader by Division I powerhouse Mater Dei and also lost to Hart, a perennial top 10 team currently ranked fourth.