First published in the May 14 print issue of the Glendale News Press.
The Crescenta Valley High School varsity baseball team was defeated by visiting Palos Verdes, 2-1, in a CIF-SS Division II matchup on Tuesday.
Senior pitcher Jameson Ferraro took the hard-luck loss despite a stellar performance, allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts across 6.2 innings.
CVHS seniors Zack Petersen, Kris McCollum and Chris Barrena, and junior Nico Terenzi each tallied a base hit, while freshman Chris Torres scored once.
The Falcons concluded the season with a 16-13 overall record after placing fourth in the Pacific League standings with an 8-6 mark.
“We really appreciate people coming out. It was fun the last couple weeks getting a full stadium after all the stuff the kids had been through — remember, these seniors lost their whole sophomore season,” head coach Phil Torres said. “It was fun getting to the playoffs, which has happened 30-some consecutive years now. And like I said, it was fun having alumni and the community out to watch the kids play. It was a blast.”
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Ferraro (6-5 record) was excellent on the hill this season as he posted a 1.99 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP with 82 strikeouts over 77.1 innings.
“He pitched really well down the stretch; the last two or three weeks, you got to see a little bit of what’s in store for him in the future,” Torres said. “He commanded the strike zone better this year than last, and especially down the stretch in his last three starts.”
Meanwhile, junior Connor Campbell was just as dominant on the mound, registering a 6-4 record across 72.1 innings with 79 strikeouts, a 1.06 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP.
Senior Luke Steele tallied a .278 batting average in 90 plate appearances with a .363 on-base percentage, a .774 OPS, 14 runs scored and 11 RBIs while leading the team in triples (four).
Senior Zack Petersen recorded a .276 batting average and a .396 on-base percentage and led the team in runs scored (23), and McCollum tied the team lead in hits (25), led the team in doubles (eight) and added 14 RBIs and 17 runs scored.
