Crescenta Valley Finally Uncovers Ace at Third Base

After months searching for a replacement for two-time All-Southern Section pitcher Jordan Olson, Crescenta Valley High has finally found its man: John Barbaro.

Barbaro, a senior right-hander, pitched a three-hitter and struck out 13 in a 3-0 victory over Arcadia last week that pulled the Falcons (11-7, 8-1 in league play) into a first-place tie with Arcadia in the Pacific League.

“Now we feel we have a No. 1 guy,” Coach Phil Torres said.

Barbaro had not pitched since his freshman year. He was the third baseman on Crescenta Valley’s Division I championship team in 1998. But because Barbaro focused on football rather than developing his pitching skills in the summer, Torres was never confident in using Barbaro on the mound until this season.

“We eased him into it,” Torres said.

Barbaro started as a closer and has become the Falcons’ ace. He is 3-1 with a 1.67 earned-run average and 34 strikeouts in 21 innings.

“Actually, it’s kind of fun,” Barbaro said of pitching.

After the Arcadia game, Olson, who pitches for L.A. City College, joked with Barbaro that he needed five more strikeouts to reach 18, the number Olson struck out last season against Arcadia.

“I don’t think anybody can replace Jordan,” Barbaro said.

But Crescenta Valley is winning again behind Barbaro and an improved defense.

“We were making too many errors,” Barbaro said. “We’ve come around. We’re not making errors anymore.”

The Falcons have been further strengthened by the addition of senior catcher Roy Spaulding, who played in his first game last week after being academically ineligible. Spaulding hit cleanup last season and is a top defensive catcher.

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A few years ago, Gregg Wallis of Chatsworth added a second g to his first name. Here’s why: Wallis was watching a Philadelphia Phillies game on TV, saw Gregg Jefferies at the plate and decided Gregg looked better than Greg.

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Jason Anderson, a sophomore catcher at Lancaster, is the son of former Kennedy All-City infielder Steve Anderson. His uncle is Jim Anderson, a former Kennedy shortstop who played with the Angels.

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Chatsworth is building a pitching staff that could dominate for years. On Saturday, freshman Justin Cassel struck out four, walked two and pitched seven innings in the Chancellors’ 7-4 victory over Valley Mission League co-leader San Fernando.

“We’re real encouraged with him,” pitching coach Matt LaCour said. “He looked real good. He doesn’t pitch like a freshman. He threw a couple 3-2 curves for strikes.”

Sophomore Joe Guntz (7-0) and junior Sean Richards (6-1) are the top pitchers for Chatsworth (17-1-1).

The Chancellors will be tested this week in West Valley League games against El Camino Real (15-4) today at El Camino Real and Thursday at Chatsworth.