Franks lifts Falcons, 2-0
Hamlet Nalbandyan
ARCADIA -- In Kris Franks’ words, her Crescenta Valley High softball
team played great Thursday.
Of course, the soft-spoken hurler could’ve used those same words about
her performance.
The third-year varsity player, who is getting her first chance to
start in the circle this season, tossed a one-hitter to lift CV to a 2-0
win against Pacific League rival Arcadia on the road.
The right-handed senior struck out seven in the complete-game
performance, walking none.
And for good measure, she also had what turned out the be the
game-winning hit in the game, a fourth-inning single that scored Kirsten
Whitt for the first of two unearned runs by the Falcons (15-2, 3-0 in
league).
The win was indeed impressive for Dan Berry’s squad. The Apaches
(6-10, 2-1) have been the next closest competitor to the Falcons --
currently on a 43-game league winning streak -- in the Pacific League
recently.
Last year, Arcadia led in both meetings with CV but lost 2-1 both
times, the first in 12 innings and the other in 13.
“We gave up just one hit,” said a proud Berry. “To come to Arcadia and
play the way we played is a great job by the kids.
“People talk about rivalries -- this is a rivalry. Everyone gets up
for Arcadia in every sport at CV.”
The Falcons were pumped and ready to go from the first pitch. Franks
retired the first 11 batters she faced until a fourth-inning error with
two outs ended her bid for perfection.
Errors -- or at least mishaps, even ones that didn’t show up in the
box score -- proved to be a constant theme for Arcadia.
In the top of the fourth, Whitt reached base with one out on a booted
ball by the shortstop and went to third on a groundout.
It looked as if Whitt would be stranded there after Apache hurler
Christy Gazanian got Franks to hit a popup behind the plate.
However, the catcher never saw the ball, giving CV extra life. The
next pitch was smacked into center field for a single, setting the tone
for Arcadia’s day.
In the top of the sixth, Sarah Sherman beat out an infield single to
second and went to third on Melanie McCauley’s double to left.
But Gazanian bore down, striking out Whitt on a 1-2 pitch with a rise
ball for the first out. She got the next batter on a strikeout as well,
but during the at bat, the catcher let a strike get bast her, allowing
Sherman to score on the passed ball.
Gazanian went on to get the next batter on a fly out, making the loss
even more tougher to swallow for the Apaches.
BOX SCORE
CV*0*0*0*1*0*1*0*--*2*5*2
Arcadia*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*--*0*1*1
CV*IP*R*ER*H*BB*K
Franks*7*0*0*1*0*7
Arcadia*IP*R*ER*H*BB*K
Gazanian*7*2*0*5*1*3
WP-Franks (13-2).
LP-Gazanian (5-6-1).
2B: CV-McCauley; A-Vallejo.
3B: CV-Whitt.
SB: CV-Whitt, Powell.