Little of This and That Add Up for Nordhoff

It is not the flashiest team and it doesn’t overwhelm opponents with firepower.

In fact, Nordhoff High has only five home runs and three triples this season.

But the strengths of the Rangers were evident in their 5-3 victory over Calabasas on Tuesday in a Frontier League baseball game at Nordhoff.

There was a solid, if not remarkable, pitching performance by Scott Drew to go along with timely hitting and defense.

Put it together and it helps explain how the surprising Rangers (12-4, 7-1 in league play) have moved two games ahead with one of the best teams in school history.

“We do the little ball well,” said Coach Rob Duran of Nordhoff. “We do whatever it takes to manufacture runs and whatever it takes to win ballgames.”

Drew (6-3), who has combined with Travis Flowers to give the Rangers consistency in their starting rotation, recorded only two strikeouts but didn’t walk a batter and scattered six hits.

It was his second consecutive complete-game victory over the Coyotes (11-7, 5-3), the defending league champions who have won five of the last seven league titles.

Nordhoff won, 6-3, in the first meeting.

“He gives up very few walks, so that makes him effective,” Duran said. “In order to beat Scott, you have to hit him.”

For the second time in a row against Drew, the Coyotes couldn’t do that nearly enough.

They scored single runs in the first, fourth and sixth innings, but the only extra-base hit by their usually potent offense came on a double by Justin Segal to open the game.

In between, the defense bailed Drew out of potential trouble by turning three double plays.

Catcher Travis Weedon helped secure the victory when he slammed a solo home run to left field in the sixth.

That was the first home run for Weedon, who shares the team lead with four others.

“Our main goal is to get base hits,” he said. “You don’t necessarily need a lot of power. It’s base hits that win ballgames.”

That is certainly the case for Nordhoff, which had only seven hits but took advantage of three walks and one hit batter, and stole two bases.

The Rangers, who play the Coyotes again May 5 at Calabasas, are closing in on their first Frontier League title.

“It’s in our hands now and I think we’re going to run with it,” he said.

Segal (3-3) pitched the first three innings for Calabasas.

Mike Grossman of Calabasas, who entered the game with a region-leading batting average of .578, was hitless in three at-bats.