Brian Gadsby shines on mound for Crescenta Valley High baseball team against Pasadena

Baseball: Falcons net 7-0 Pacific league road victory against Bulldogs.

April 12, 2013|By Grant Gordon, grant.gordon@latimes.com

Crescenta Valley High's Brian Gadsby had another… (Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff…)

PASADENA — Looking not only to bounce back from a disheartening loss, but also needing a victory to stay on pace with the Pacific League frontrunners, Crescenta Valley High’s baseball team gave the ball to sophomore pitcher Brian Gadsby and the right-hander responded with dominance.

Propelled by a Gadsby shutout and buoyed by a four-run fourth inning, the Falcons defeated host Pasadena, 7-0, on Friday afternoon in a key Pacific League tilt.

PHOTOS: Crescenta Valley vs. Pasadena baseball

“It was a really big game,” said Gadsby, who struck out seven to no walks in seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits. “It was a big win to get.”

Crescenta Valley (12-6, 4-1 in league) lost, 8-7, on Tuesday in a first-place matchup with Burroughs and found itself in a bit of a must-win situation on Friday and delivered.

“Tuesday was rough, but we came back ready to win this game,” said junior Bryan Wang, who had a two-run single to center field in the pivotal fourth-inning barrage. “We wanted to get on a roll again.”

Pasadena (9-8, 2-3) was also coming off a disastrous 8-7 loss, after it fell to Burbank despite leading, 7-0. But seven was once more an unlucky number for the Bulldogs, who were plagued in all areas, as three Pasadena pitchers combined to allow nine hits, hit a batter and walk five. The defense committed three errors that all led to runs and the offense’s only hits came after the Bulldogs were already down by the final score.

“We didn’t play well today,” Bulldogs Coach Mike Parisi said. “It’s frustrating.

“I just want these kids to play the game the right way.”

Crescenta Valley took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Austin Brines, who had a pair of hits, singled and then scored after a wild pitch and an error that allowed him to advance from second to home.

“We gave them the first run,” said Parisi, whose team allowed the first five runs with two outs.

It was the fourth inning that turned the game for good, starting with a one out single by Nolan Rea. With two outs, Nick Diaz and Joe Torres reached on errors consecutively, with Diaz’ line drive to first base allowing Rea to score for a 2-0 lead. Thereafter, Ted Boeke, Wang, Michael Russo and Johnny Psaltis connected on four straight singles. Psaltis’ single to center ultimately ended the inning with an out at the plate.

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