Van Nuys Defense, Pitching Are a Hit

Three games, three shutouts.

Van Nuys Show Ball is dominating the American Legion District 20 playoffs, thanks to the unbeatable combination of pitching and defense.

Michael Marble pitched a three-hitter and was supported by four double plays in a 6-0 victory over Valley Chatsworth on Friday at Birmingham High.

Van Nuys (23-1) clinched an Area 6 playoff berth for next week at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium. Van Nuys is the only unbeaten team in the double-elimination Division I tournament.

Van Nuys plays Quartz Hill today at 4 p.m. at Birmingham but has earned a spot in Sunday’s final regardless of the outcome.

Marble, who lost to Chatsworth in the opening round of the City playoffs when he was pitching for Grant High, struck out four and walked four in the first nine-inning shutout of his career.

Van Nuys has allowed no runs in 25 playoff innings. As good as the pitching has been, the defense is even better.

Shortstop Jonathon Brewster and second baseman Brendan Ryan turned three double plays.

Center fielder Steve Moss ran down a fly ball in the first inning and turned it into a double play.

Left fielder James Rivero made two running catches.

Whether hitting the ball on the ground or in the air, there’s no guarantee of it leading to a hit against Van Nuys.

“It’s so nice knowing you can fall behind in the count and say, ‘OK, hit it,’ and know you’re covered,” Marble said. “We have the best defense.”

Brewster, Steve Moss, Alec Moss and Robbie Reyes each contributed two hits to Van Nuys’ 11-hit attack. Reyes had two run-scoring singles.

Van Nuys players were determined to deliver a victory to their coach, Jody Breeden, whose mother died this week.

“It’s the toughest thing I’ve had to do,” said Breeden, in his 14th year coaching the team.

Added outfielder Chris Dickerson: “He’s real emotional about it. We’re trying to do our best to play as well as we can to relieve the stress off him. We owe it to him for all he’s done for us. This game means a lot.”

The scary part of Van Nuys’ success is that its top pitcher, Clint Kofmehl from Crespi, has pitched in only three innings this summer while nursing a sore arm.

Kofmehl, an All-Southern Section right-hander, hopes to return in a couple of weeks.

Valley Chatsworth plays Studio City Sylmar today at 1 p.m. at Birmingham in an elimination game.

Valley Chatsworth has left-hander Joe Guntz, an All-City pitcher, ready to throw.

The top two teams qualify for the Area 6 playoffs.

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AMERICAN LEGION PLAYOFFS

FRIDAY’S

RESULTS

District 20

(18-and-under)

Van Nuys Show Ball 6,

Valley Chatsworth 0

Quartz Hill 6,

Granada Hills Kennedy 5

Studio City Sylmar 16,

Antelope Valley 14

*

TODAY’S

GAMES

District 20

Valley Chatsworth

vs. Studio City Sylmar

at Birmingham, 1 p.m.

Van Nuys Show Ball

vs. Quartz Hill

at Birmingham, 4 p.m.