By Tim Peterson
(Arcadia) – Crescenta Valley scored two runs in the top of the second inning and it proved to be enough as the Falcons beat Arcadia 2-1 to end the Apaches perfect 23-game run Tuesday night at Giambrone Field.
Lorenzo Respicio had an RBI single and Isaac Sung hit a sacrifice fly to eventually score Respico to give CV a lead it never relinquished. Arcadia took a 1-0 lead in the first when Dominick Tello singled home Jacob Lopez.
Falcon pitcher Trevor Beer made the one run lead stand up as he worked into the seventh inning before being replaced by Luke Hempel who closed it out. Bell struck out six and allowed just the one earned run. Arcadia had the tying run thrown out at the plate to end the game.
Caden Ross started and went four innings and allowed two runs for Arcadia before being relieved by Chris Wilson in the fifth.
With victory Crescenta Valley, 22-4 overall and 13-0 in league, clinched a share of the Pacific League title. Arcadia is now 23-1 and 12-1 in the Pacific.
Have to agree with 2 cents that judgement to send runner under those conditions was aggressive, bold and the right call in the situation. Also, agree that throw home had no where near 90% chance of success. Emotions, stress of the situation and all the other variables make that throw probably the defining moment of the game. High school player or major leaguer, it’s not an easy throw and as an example I’ll remind you of the disastrous year Steve Sax had with the Dodgers years ago where even a routine throw from second to first was an adventure. Hats off to that 2nd baseman.
Two Cents,
Did you help write Moneyball? Lol. There is no way to determine those numbers. Agree to disagree I guess.
@Anon, still you are missing the point of the play from both ends. Arcadia took a chance and sent the runner home because most of CV’s players were celebrating assuming they had the force at second. I agree with the call from Arcadia’s side. The 2B gets credit because amid all the chaos, he remained calm and recognized the situation and threw a strike to home. By you saying most 2B could make that throw 9/10 times. Yes, that is true if it was under normal circumstances. I don’t believe 9/10 second basemen would have recognized the situation and at the same time could have threw a strike home. Under those circumstances, maybe 3/10.
Two Cents,
When did I discredit a great throw? I simply said the throw the 2B made is a throw a starting infielder on a league champ team should make. I give the kid credit for being heads up and throwing a strike to home. My argument is I would rather let my kid swing it then try to run home in that situation. Clean it up.
@Anon, you were either not at the game or never played the game. Otherwise, you would know why we gave the 2B credit for a heads up play.
2B only a sophomore. Heads up play for the youngster and also heck of a football player
A varsity 2B for a program like CV can make the throw 9/10 times. Base knock wins the game.
Of the 2nd baseman doesn’t react immediately and make a very accurate throw the runner is safe. I’ll take that chance over needing a basehit to score by the next batter with 2 outs on a night when runs were scarce. I like the call to send the runner and pressure the D. The CV player simply made a great throw.
Arcadia had CV against the ropes. They did them a favor. Bases loaded and the game on the line, the pressure is on CV. You have to give your guy a chance to swing it. It wasn’t a bang bang play. He was easily out. But in the heat of the moment you do what you think is right. Both teams are well coached and tough. You love seeing young men compete so hard and so respectfully. Hoping I can catch the finale on Friday.
I agree with 2 Cents. I definitely give the second baseman big time credit for not getting caught up in the play at second and for his rapid reaction to the developing play at home. If you watch the play closely, all CV fielders assumed the play at 2nd ended the game and begin celebrating. The pitcher Had no idea. He turned his back to the play and began to jump for joy. Props to the second baseman for creating a championship signature moment in favor of his team. I would not have sent the runner home, but I admire the aggressive move. It took guts to go for it. Think about it, had he scored, we’d all be calling the coach a genius, and giving praise everywhere, just like New Orleans Saints’ onside kick in the Super Bowl. Risky, gutsy, and ultimately legendary.
Hindsight’s is always 20/20. Give CV’s 2B the presence of mind to throw home after he was late getting to the bag for a safe call on a force.
I checked out the game via live stream. It appeared to be such an electric atmosphere. I was quite impressed with this overall production. Baseball can be such a dull sport when nothing is at stake and sometimes when played in the afternoon. However, on this night of clash of the titans, it really felt like a big time event, and the Arcadia and Crescenta Valley communities did not disappoint.
I got a kick out of listening to the Arcadia Student hecklers. You can hear them heckling the CV players throughout the game. I’m sure to the CV players it was very annoying, but I figure that’s the whole point. Personally, as a neutral observer, I found myself laughing a time or two.
I was not there in person, but on the live stream, it appeared as if the Arcadia players handled the loss with class, and with there heads held high. It’s always tough to lose your first game when you are undefeated, but Arcadia showed no signs of being sore losers. I respect them for that. Hopefully, this was truly the case in person and not an inaccurate observation.
Soooo, NO ONE wants to talk about sending the runner home? Ok…
Maranatha is the real No. 1 team in Division 3. 7 D-1 commits. Arcadia has beat prototypical power teams that are struggling this year.
Congrats to both teams for playing one heck of a game. Pitching was outstanding for Arcadia. Multiple outstanding outfield plays saved the day for CV.