Freshman Baseball Stays Strong in League
The La Cañada freshman baseball team pummeled South Pasadena 19-5 last week in a five-inning game. The Spartans improved to 9-1-1, 5-5-1 in league.
The La Cañada offense continued to produce big numbers, sending 13 batters to the plate in the second inning and 11 in the third inning. The torrid Spartan hitting, along with Coach Greg Lee’s successful strategy of aggressive base running, resulted in La Cañada leading 19-2 after three innings.
The hit parade was led by Michael Lee (two singles and four runs) Paul Lee (double, single and two runs), Michael Knopf (double and single), Ben Drake (two singles and two runs), Adam Overgaard (one single and three runs), Troy Marderosian (one single and two runs), Tim Kim (one single and two runs), and Cole Kendall and John Hanson (each with one single and one run). Harry Kightlinger and Kevin Hurlbutt also reached base for the Spartans.
Michael Lee pitched the entire five innings for La Canada, allowing four hits, walking three and striking out four.
Earlier this week the team continued their quest for a league championship with a 4-3 victory over San Marino. Starting pitcher Cole Kendall pitched a stellar game, throwing five shut-out innings, allowing only four hits and one walk, and recording two strike-outs.
La Cañada took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a walk by Michael Lee and a double by Michael Knopf. The Spartans scored three in the fourth inning when Josh Hanson reached base on an error, Paul Lee and Tim Kim walked, and Adam Overgaard and Michael Lee both singled.
La Cañada took a 4-0 lead heading into the sixth inning, and although the San Marino offense struggled to get any hits, they proved adept at getting hit.
This unusual tactic allowed San Marino to score two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth inning — all three runs were the result of batters hit with the pitch.
Closer Michael Lee recorded the final two outs for La Cañada, both on strikeouts. Ben Drake and Paul Lee hit doubles for the Spartans, and the stingy La Cañada defense again did not commit any errors.
La Cañada improved their record to 10-1-1, 6-1-1 in league. They play Monrovia today at 3:30 p.m. in a home game which may determine the league championship.