HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

The Pacific League baseball race has been predictable almost to the point of boredom in years past, but it’s anything but a cinch to forecast this season.

Crescenta Valley and Arcadia, which have won the last four titles, aren’t sure bets and have both lost to upstart Glendale.

But before Glendale is anointed champion, remember the Dynamiters lost to Muir, which went 0-15 in league play last season.

“People are obviously beating people they don’t normally do,” Glendale Coach Jay Chadwick said. “Some of the bottom teams are getting better, and Arcadia and Crescenta Valley don’t have the depth in pitching that they’ve had in the past.”

Crescenta Valley (9-3, 5-2 in league play) is a sophomore-laden team prone to youthful mistakes. The Falcons had eight errors in a 5-1 loss to Glendale (9-3, 5-2).

“That’s usually a season total for us, but we’re very young,” Coach Phil Torres of Crescenta Valley said. “We just shook our heads that day. There’s nothing you can do but go to work in practice the next day. We’re going to keep getting better as the weeks go on.”

Glendale defeated Arcadia (10-3, 6-1), but lost to Muir, 7-6, and to Pasadena, 11-7.

“I guarantee you it’s going to sort itself out in the second round [of league play],” Chadwick said. “Teams that had something happen to them in the first round aren’t going to let it happen again.

“Arcadia and Crescenta Valley are both probably looking at their losses to us and saying no way it’ll happen again.”

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Andrew Peterson has made a name as a shortstop at L.A. Baptist (13-3, 4-0). Now he’s got another title--unhittable pitcher.

Peterson (3-0), a senior, has not allowed a run in 13 innings, striking out 21, walking none and allowing six hits.

“No one’s scored on him,” Coach Mark Hubbard said. “The guy’s a player.”

Peterson, an All-Southern Section selection at shortstop as a sophomore, slumped slightly last season but is hitting .519 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs.

“He’s on fire,” said Hubbard, who said scouts from three pro teams have come to watch Peterson this season. “I think eventually he’ll be an outfielder. He’s got a real strong arm and he can hit.”