Hernandez Helps Sylmar Get on Track

Spurred by a flop Monday against Van Nuys High and sparked by Ivan Hernandez’s dominance on the mound, Sylmar moved back into the East Valley League title chase with a 10-0 thumping of host Grant on Tuesday.

Hernandez (4-2), a right-hander headed for Cal State Northridge, paid little attention to Grant’s taunts, handcuffing the Lancers with a two-hitter and 10 strikeouts.

Grant (13-4, 7-1 in league play) had plenty to say but made little noise with its bats. The Lancers were limited to Cole James’ infield single and a grounder by Billy Karz that sneaked through the middle of the infield.

Hernandez, who faced two batters over the minimum, gave up only one hard-hit ball, a line drive by Karz that was snared by first baseman Jordan Plascencia.

Of the 21 outs Hernandez recorded, one was a pop fly, another was a fly ball to center and the rest were meek ground balls.

“I was interested to see how they would rebound today,” Coach Gary Donatella of Sylmar said of his players. “They came out and swung the bat well and Ivan did exactly what we needed him to do.”

After leaving the bases loaded in the first inning during a 7-1 loss to Van Nuys on Monday, Sylmar (13-4, 7-1) capitalized on its opportunities this time.

Following a Grant error with two out, the Spartans jumped on Jose Munoz (3-2) for four unearned runs in the first and finished with 14 hits. Larry Anguino, who had three hits, highlighted the outburst with a two-run triple.

Sylmar didn’t let up, putting the game away with a four-run fifth. Hernandez started the rally with a double and Hector Chavez had a two-run single.

That was more than enough support for Hernandez, who struck out three of the final five batters.