Poly and Verdugo Hills shared the Valley Mission League title last season, but today’s game revealed two teams on different paths. The Parrots fielded a veteran lineup with seven seniors and look to compete for some hardware. The Dons started more sophomores than seniors and are focused on developing their youth and hopefully surprising some folks by the end of the season.

all photos by Benjamin Becher

Poly senior Jacob Escalante made a triumphant return to the mound, throwing a commanding 10-0 five-inning shut out. At 5’9″, Escalante channeled his inner Pedro Martinez, combining sharp fastballs with well-placed offspeed pitches. His pinpoint control kept the Dons’ bats quiet throughout the afternoon.

Poly head coach Gabriel Cerna was pleased with the Parrots winning seven of eight coming in, though he kept a measured perspective: “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Every season’s a journey, so we still got a way to go. But hopefully we get better.”

Today they got better before the game even began because senior transfer Isaac Cerpa was cleared to play for the first time this season: “(Cerpa) was two-time all-league at San Fernando. So, he’s going to help us a lot,” admitted Cerna.

Verdugo Hills’ junior starting pitcher Anthony Velasquez flashed potential, recording two outs on his first four pitches of the game. Displaying a strong overhand fastball, Velasquez struggled to command his curveball. After walking Poly senior David Mercado, senior Brenis Mayorga smacked a double to left center, scoring Mercado. Velasquez got the next batter to fly out and escaped the inning with the Dons only trailing 1-0.

Verdugo Hills head coach Angel Espindola, a former Poly Parrot himself, acknowledged the challenge of fielding a young team: “We’ve been walking a lot of guys. So, we’ve been giving away a lot of free bases. Whether it’s on the mound or defensively. It’s been difficult (for the youngsters) adjusting to varsity speed.”

Coach Cerna hangs his hat on pitching and defense. “It’s the Poly way.” Castaneda, the Don’s leadoff hitter put the “Poly Way” to the test right away, hitting a slow roller that junior 3rd baseman Andrew Flores gloved smoothly but then one-hopped his throw across the diamond, which was expertly scooped by senior first baseman, Joshua Luna. It was a Poly play if there ever was one. And it set the tone for the afternoon. The Parrot infield looks as solid as you’ll see out in the city.

After Castaneda grounded out, sophomore D’Angelo Duran drew a walk, and fellow sophomore Cutlor Gouger-Fannon lined out to right. Junior Anthony Velasquez then dropped a flare into right field, allowing Duran—running on contact with two outs—to reach third safely. Escalante struck out senior Isaiah Guevara for the third out, but imagine how differently the game might have started if that slow roller had not been an out. Though it’s a stretch to say the final outcome would have changed, it’s clear those fundamental plays are what make Poly a contender.

The Parrots capitalized on sloppy Dons’ defense with timely hitting and scored three runs in the second inning and two more in the third, building a 6-0 lead. The cushion allowed Escalante to settle in, as he just allowed one more hit the rest of the way while issuing two walks and striking out five.

Meanwhile, Verdugo Hills pitchers struggled with command all afternoon, issuing nine walks in five innings. Velasquez’s firm fastball was effective at first, but his inability to throw off-speed pitches for strikes allowed the Parrots to sit on his heater. Velasquez gave up 6 runs, 2 earned in three innings of work.

Dons sophomore reliever Jesse Olmos and senior Milo Medeiros also struggled with control, each walking three batters. Olmos surrendered three more runs in the 4th, making it 9-0.

Medeiros electric fastball recorded two punchouts in the 5th inning, but his wildness cost the team a tenth run. When the Parrots couldn’t score in the bottom of the inning, the game was called under the CIF mercy rule, “10 after 4 innings”.

Escalante’s entire performance was summed up in one telling moment in the bottom of the third inning when he faced Don sophomore Cutlor Gouger-Fannon, who fouled off four straight fastballs before being fooled by a vicious curveball for strike three. Escalante’s ability to execute his pitches was emblematic of Poly’s airtight approach.

Poly’s offense was powered by their first three hitters—Escalante, Cerpa, and senior Diego Mercado reached base seven times in their first 12 plate appearances. Cleanup hitter Mayorga cleaned up with three hits, including two doubles and two RBIs, while senior Gael Garcia also drove in two runs on a pair of singles.

Verdugo Hills falls to 1-11 (0-4) and, though more talented than their record would indicate, the Dons’ pitching staff must address their command issues to keep them in their remaining games. Espindola, who went very “skeleton crew the first half of the season,” is now “pulling up everybody (from JV). So now I have the depth. I’m not as handcuffed on making moves as I was earlier in the season.” Espindola will keep searching for the right combination this Monday (03/31) morning (11:00 AM) at home against Monroe.

Moving to 9-4 (4-0) Poly’s veteran leadership, airtight infield and disciplined pitching make them a formidable opponent. Cerna and his Parrots look to keep rolling this Saturday (03/29) at home at 11:00 AM in a tournament game vs. the 8-1 Venice Gondoliers.