Erik Boal
GLENDALE -- As three-time defending Pacific League champions, the
Crescenta Valley High baseball team knew that a four-peat would be no
easy task.
The Falcons did nothing to disgrace themselves, posting a 13-2 league
record, one game better than their 12-3 mark of a year ago.
But a resurgent Arcadia High squad did one better than Coach Phil
Torres' team, winning the league with a 14-1 record, losing to only CV on
April 18.
In winning their first league title since 1989, the Apaches were
honored with five first-team selections -- including Player of the Year
Ed Clelland.
CV (16-9 overall) matched Arcadia with five first-team honorees,
leading the list of 13 local players selected to the all-league roster.
Seniors John Barbaro, David Decker and Mark McCauley, along with
junior Jeff Dunn and sophomore Kris Krise were recognized among the 14
first-team selections.
McCauley, the Falcons' leadoff hitter and second baseman, concluded
his four-year varsity career with another outstanding season, leading CV
in hits, at-bats, batting average and runs scored.
He hit .451 (37 for 82) with 32 runs scored and 19 runs batted in, in
addition to hitting three home runs and stealing six bases.
Decker hit .372 (29 for 78) with 22 runs scored, 18 RBIs and a .538
slugging percentage as the Falcons' No. 2 hitter.
Dunn, CV's designated hitter, led the team with five home runs and was
second with 30 RBIs, completing a .314 average (22 for 70).
Barbaro was voted by the league's coaches as the top third baseman,
but he also excelled as a pitcher. On offense, he led the team with 33
RBIs, and was second with 27 runs and a .382 average (29 for 76).
As a pitcher, Barbaro handed Arcadia its lone league defeat, striking
out 13 batters and limiting the Apaches to only three hits in a 3-1
victory.
Barbaro finished with a 4-1 record and a 1.19 earned-run average,
striking out 35 batters in 23 2/3 innings.
Krise also came strong at the end of the league season, posting a 3-1
record with 25 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. He appeared in seven
games and had a 3.23 ERA.
Glendale earned two first-team honorees in sophomore infielder Kevin
Hickcox and junior outfielder Bryan Aguila.
The Nitros posted a 9-16 mark overall, 7-8 in league, and just missed
the CIF Southern Section playoffs by one game, losing, 4-3, to Pasadena
on May 9.
Hickcox was known as a shortstop but was forced to pitch after an
injury to the Nitros' ace, Aguila. Hickcox started pitching during
