Nitros’ bats go blank
ARCADIA — After facing arguably one of the toughest lineups he will go against this season, Glendale High pitcher Jason Marquez was satisfied with his effort Friday afternoon.
Unfortunately for Marquez, he didn’t receive much offensive support.
“I just wanted to go out there and be able to compete,” said Marquez, who allowed eight hits while going the distance in a 5-0 Pacific League road defeat against Arcadia. “They have a good team and lineup and it was a good test.
“I felt like if I could keep it close, then we would have a chance because they have been rolling us for the last few years.”
The Apaches, who have won the league championship the past three seasons, strung together some clutch two-out hits to improve to 9-1, 2-0 in league. Glendale dropped to 3-3, 1-1.
Arcadia, which went undefeated in league the past two seasons, scored four runs with two outs to take the first of two head-to-head meetings against Glendale. Three runs came in the sixth inning.
Glendale Coach Jesus Osuna said Marquez (2-1) performed well.
“He wanted the ball and wanted to stay out there,” Osuna said. “They are a scrappy hitting team and they made us work hard to get them out.
“They had a couple of hits find holes. I feel bad for Jason that our offense couldn’t help him out.”
Glendale could muster just two hits against Arcadia starting pitcher Darren Kerfoot. Kerfoot, a right-hander, struck out nine and got the Nitros to hit into a pair of double plays.
“[Kerfoot] fooled us and he got ahead of us almost every batter,” said Marquez, who went hitless in three at-bats. “We know that we can go out there and turn things around.
“A win here and there and we will be fine.”
Arcadia took a 1-0 lead in the second when Marquez walked No. 9 hitter David Dominguez on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded. Dominguez then delivered a run-scoring single to make it 2-0 in the fourth.
The Apaches closed out the scoring in the sixth. Gary Huang had a two-run single to make it 4-0 before Dominguez drove in the final run with a single.
Huang finished with two hits.
Glendale received one hit apiece from Josue Aguilera and Daniel Aragon.
Glendale and Arcadia will meet again at 3:30 p.m. April 27 at Glendale.
