Inspired Paschal Lifts Chaminade

Pitcher Bobby Paschal of Chaminade High wrote his mother’s initials inside his baseball cap, but what really motivates him are the lessons learned from watching her courage and humility while she endures chemotherapy treatments for colon cancer.

“What she went through shows me I can go through anything,” he said. “She inspired me to work hard.”

Judy Paschal has been in remission since Thanksgiving, which is the best news of all.

Paschal showed Friday he’s a better pitcher than a year ago, when he went 8-1 and had a 1.35 earned-run average.

He limited El Camino Real to two hits over 6 2/3 innings, struck out seven and walked two in Chaminade’s 1-0 victory in an opening game of the San Fernando Valley tournament.

“How many guys hit every single spot around the plate?” Coach Scott Drootin asked. “He did.”

Paschal, a junior left-hander, has improved his curveball, giving him three effective pitches. His change-up was particularly nasty.

Sean Clark came in to strike out Sean Soszynski with the potential tying and winning runs on base to pick up the save.

Paschal had to be at his best to out-pitch Greg Acheatel, an All-City junior right-hander who was last seen shutting out Kennedy for five innings in the City Championship game at Dodger Stadium.

Acheatel gave up seven hits in five innings, striking out three and walking one.

Chaminade’s run was unearned. In the second inning, D.J. Milonas doubled, went to third on a passed ball and scored on Jimmy Rapoport’s sacrifice fly.

A communication mix-up between Acheatel and catcher Jesse Michel, a transfer from Calabasas, allowed Milonas to reach third.

“He thought I was throwing an outside curveball and I threw an inside fastball,” Acheatel said.

Both teams played well on defense for an opening game. Shortstop Christian Hariot of El Camino Real displayed a strong arm and excellent range.

Chaminade’s new double play combination of shortstop Andrew Yaffe and second baseman Milonas handled most balls hit their way.

Catcher Jim Milkovich showed his powerful arm in the fifth inning, throwing out Julian Unruh trying to steal second base.

“We played solid defense and so did they,” Acheatel said. “They played one step higher than us.”