C.V. rolls on for fifth straight win

After losing its first three nonleague games of the season, the Crescenta Valley High boys’ baseball team needed a shot in the arm if they wanted to keep up with their female counterparts on the softball field.

Coincidentally, it took two arms to give the Falcons a shot against the Pasadena Bulldogs on Tuesday, as Kyle Pomeroy and Jacob Hoogenhuizen combined for a two-hit shutout at Pasadena High School in a 2-0 road victory.

It was the fifth consecutive victory for Crescenta Valley (5-3, 4-0), including four in a row in Pacific League play. In those four Pacific League games, the Falcons outscored its rivals, 42-9. In the three nonleague losses, Crescenta Valley allowed seven runs each in two of those losses.

With the loss, Pasadena drops to 4-6 overall (0-3 in league).

While starter Pomeroy enjoyed a 1-0 lead through three innings, he did not earn the victory, as he was pulled in the fourth inning in favor of Hoogenhuizen. The relief pitcher tossed four shutout innings to earn the victory. A starter who only pitches three innings cannot earn a victory.

Crescenta Valley Coach Phil Torres hoped Pomeroy could have pitched longer, yet his high pitch count, control issues and a slim lead was cause for concern.

“We have other guys that can throw,” Torres said. “[Hoogenhuizen] came in and did a good job in relief.”

Pomeroy was spotted a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. After two scoreless innings, Matt Ashby hit a lead-off, 0-2 curveball into center field, turning the hit into a triple. It was the only extra-base hit of the game.

Zach Torres brought Ashby home with a sacrifice grounder to the shortstop.

With the winning streak, the Falcons were able to keep pace with Arcadia in the Pacific League standings, who also have a 4-0 league record. Both teams square off against each other at Arcadia next Friday, April 4.

Second baseman Zack Torres followed with a perfectly placed chopper to second base that allowed Ashby to cross home for a 1-0 Falcons lead as Torres was thrown out at first. In the top half of the sixth inning, Crescenta Valley’s Daniel Park scored from third on an error by Bulldogs’ third baseman Robert Lain.

Pasadena threatened to cut into the Falcon lead in their half of the sixth inning, as they had two runners in scoring position with only one out. However, Hoogenhuizen struck out consecutive batters, ending the inning and preserving the 2-0 lead into the seventh inning. Hoogenhuizen was able to pitch an easy seventh to earn the victory.

Pasadena’s Guy D’auria (4-1) suffered the loss despite pitching a complete game and facing 27 batters (only six over the minimum). He gave up six hits, but struck at three and only walked one. It was the first loss of the season for the Bulldogs’s ace.