Staff Pitches In With 2-Hitter, Hart Wins, 3-0

Hart High is still missing its best pitcher.

But the rest of the talented pitching staff is present and accounted for.

The Indians demonstrated their pitching depth in a 3-0 victory over Burroughs on Friday in a battle for first place in the Foothill League.

Three pitchers combined for the shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out 13.

Phil Tognetti (3-2) gave up two hits and struck out seven in five-plus innings.

He was relieved by Jeff Whitcomb in the sixth, who pitched two-thirds of an inning before closer Bill Susdorf came in to finish off Burroughs for his fifth save.

Susdorf, who entered the game with an 0.60 earned-run average, struck out four of five batters.

“We’re going to Susdorf if we have the lead,” Coach Jim Ozella said. “That shouldn’t be any news if anyone is scouting us.

“I’m a big believer in a strong bullpen and we have the makings of one.”

Not to mention a starting staff that continues to impress even without senior Jamie Shields, who was 11-0 and led the Indians to the Southern Section Division II title last season.

Shields, who has yet to pitch this season because of a back strain, practiced throwing for the first time Friday and might be available for the Babe Herman tournament that starts next Saturday in Glendale.

In the meantime, Hart (10-2, 5-0 in league play) has received solid performances from starters Tognetti and Eric Posthumus (5-0).

It was the best performance of the season for Tognetti.

“He pitched a great game,” Ozella said. “[Burroughs] can really score runs and he shut them down.”

Jesse Perez (2-3) of Burroughs, who was making only his second start, struck out nine in a five-hitter.

However, he allowed five of his six walks in the first inning, when Hart scored two runs.

Perez gave up two hits in the second, including a run-scoring single by Susdorf.

All things considered, the loss left Burroughs (6-4, 4-1) encouraged about the rest of the league season.

The teams play May 9 at Burroughs and May 12 at Hart.

“I think we can match up with Hart,” Coach Jose Valle said. “I think we can match up with anyone in this league.

“There’s still a lot of baseball left.”

Hart, which had a .326 team batting average but struggled to put away Burroughs, did not take its opponent lightly.

“I think they’re really underrated,” Susdorf said. “Not many people gave them a chance but we knew we were playing a good team.”