Stars Align in Meteoric Finish
There’s breaking news from the Psychic Readers Network: An astrological disturbance was detected Tuesday night around Dodger Stadium, which helps explain how 15th-seeded Reseda Cleveland High went from fourth-place finisher in West Valley League play to City Section champion.
The stars were so perfectly aligned that the most famous Cavalier of all, two-time Cy Young Award winner Bret Saberhagen, was handing out the post-game awards after watching his alma mater defeat Sylmar, 1-0, almost 20 years to the day he pitched a no-hitter and recorded the last shutout in City final history.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Saberhagen said.
Turning in a historic pitching performance was senior Byron Grubman, who threw his second consecutive shutout and allowed one run in 21 playoff innings. Only 5 feet 10 and 165 pounds, Grubman outdueled Jamie Mah to upset the top-seeded Spartans (27-5), who had won 20 consecutive games.
“This is like a fantasy come true, throwing a shutout at Dodger Stadium in my last high school game,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
As much as the game will be remembered for Grubman’s pitching, it was the defensive play of Cleveland shortstop Robert Marcial that also left a lasting impression. There are major league teams that could use a shortstop with the accuracy and skills of Marcial, who had six assists and is headed to Nevada.
“It was tremendous defense,” Grubman said. “They played so well behind me. It’s such a pleasure having [Marcial] at shortstop. He’s so automatic.”
Marcial had someone looking out for him all season--his grandparents. They have been in a coma since an automobile accident six years ago.
“I really wish they could be here,” he said. “They’ve been my inspiration.”
When freshman center fielder Trevor Arroyo made a diving catch for the final out with the tying run on base, it was another example of how the Cavaliers were always in the right place at the right time during the playoffs.
“I found it in my glove and it was an awesome feeling,” Arroyo said.
Saberhagen was raving afterward about Grubman, whose only baseball offer is from UC San Diego. “He’s got all the tools,” Saberhagen said.
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Most underrated player: Pitcher Travis Sutton of Division I champion Camarillo, who went 14-0 and is still an unsigned college prospect.
In need of glowing fingers: During a night game, Chatsworth pitcher Justin Cassel was having trouble seeing the signs of catcher Jordan Sisson, who went into the dugout and put red nail polish on his fingers.
Strikeout king: Roosevelt left-hander Ricky Romero struck out 162 batters in 80 innings.
Impressive seasons: Junior catcher Trey Ursich of San Pedro Mary Star of the Sea had 13 home runs and 44 runs batted in after a sophomore season in which he hit 16 home runs and drove in 56 runs.
Baseball nut: Pitcher Bobby Paschal of West Hills Chaminade included the following quote under his school yearbook photo: “A man once told me to walk with the Lord. I’d rather walk with the bases loaded.”
Most improved player: Third baseman Daniel Lee of Woodland Hills El Camino Real. As a freshman, he was cut from junior varsity. As a junior, he led West Valley League champion El Camino Real with a .487 batting average.
Best individual performance: Pitcher Mike Peck of Irvine Woodbridge threw a perfect game with 15 strikeouts against Newport Harbor.
Top sophomores: 1. Pitcher Andy Beal, Palos Verdes Peninsula; 2. First baseman Mark Trumbo, Villa Park; 3. Pitcher Jason Corder, Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley; 4. Pitcher Jason Dominguez, Chatsworth; 5. Pitcher Trevor Plouffe, Encino Crespi; 6. Infielder Sean Rooney, Anaheim Esperanza; 7. Infielder Garrett Green, Anaheim Canyon; 8. Outfielder Jared Clark, Valencia.
Top juniors: 1. Outfielder Delmon Young, Camarillo; 2. Pitcher Ian Kennedy, Westminster La Quinta; 3. Third baseman Ian Stewart, Westminster La Quinta; 4. Outfielder Daniel Perales, Santa Ana Mater Dei; 5. Shortstop Chris Valaika, Newhall Hart; 6. Shortstop Jeff Flaig, Placentia El Dorado; 7. Pitcher Chuck Tiffany, Covina Charter Oak; 8. Pitcher Troy Harrington, Arroyo Grande; 9. Pitcher Zack Zinicola, Riverside Arlington; 10. Shortstop Josh Satin, North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake; 11. Pitcher David Huff, Huntington Beach Edison; 12. Shortstop Chad Lundahl, Thousand Oaks.
Top teams for 2003: 1. Camarillo, 2. Westminster La Quinta, 3. Arlington, 4. Villa Park, 5. Esperanza.
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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com
