Baseball: Pitchers' duel goes Paraclete's way
March 31, 2015
ALONSO TACANGA/Valley Press
LANCASTER — Tuesday's game-saving play came to Paraclete starter Javahn Devers during the sixth inning much like the wind had all afternoon.
Fast and at his face.
"That was fortunate, I guess," he said.
Swift reflexes in place with runners at the corners, Devers caught Desert Christian junior Andrew Bayard's hard-hit smack right back to him and erased the Knights' would-be-game-evener with a 1-3 double play during the Spirits' 2-0 non-league win.
Playing through violent winds, Devers' quick glove helped him record a three-hit shutout of the intra-city rivals, who could only laugh off seeing their best scoring chance blasted into two momentum-killing outs.
"I stung it and it just didn't go my way that time," Bayard said. "That's how baseball goes sometimes."
Devers' counterpart on the mound, Desert Christian's Jared Stephens, pitched a four-hitter while walking two batters with four strikeouts. He, however, was unable to find the needed breaks to win the pitchers' duel.
Scoreless through 5 innings, Alex Ravago - who reached first on an error -was driven in by senior John Serrato's single to center field two batters later. It was the Spirits' second hit of the day.
It would also prove to be the game-winner.
"It's one of the greatest feelings," Serrato said of his clutch hit. "Just trying not to do too much especially with this strong wind."
Added Paraclete head coach Greg Burnias: "Serrato has been huge for us all season. He's come up with big hit after big hit. I can't say enough about he's done for us."
Following their biggest defensive play of the day, the Spirits added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Ravago singled in Cory Konter, who had first reached base on an error.
Another error allowed the Knights to put two runners on with one out in the top of the seventh, but Devers retired the next two batters to preserve the win.
It was a gusty one.
"It just completely changes your game plan," Burnias said of the weather conditions. "You got to learn to adjust with it."
A sophomore in search of perfection even in challenging circumstances, Devers wasn't pleased with his three-hit, no-runs outing.
"Statistics don't really matter to me," said Devers, who walked three batters and struck one out. "Personally I felt like I didn't throw first-pitch strikes. I didn't put guys away as much as I could.
"There's always room for improvement."
Serrato didn't seem surprised by Devers' assessment of his performance.
"(Devers) is one of the hardest workers," Serrato said. "He's really tough on himself.
"He comes out and gives us good quality outings every single time. It's really fun playing defense behind him."
In the losing dugout, Bayard lamented being unable to pick up his own pitcher. The Knights had four errors in total.
"Jared Stephens went out and we couldn't give him any run support out there," Bayard said. "That's what we got to work on."
Two of DC's hits on the day came from Andrew Smith and Nick Rust, the Knights' No. 8 and No. 9 hitters.
The win was Serrato's fourth against the Knights in his career.
"It's pretty much for private-school bragging rights out here in the AV," he said.
Desert Christian gets back to Desert Mountain League play on April 7 against Mojave while Paraclete will face St. Paul at the St. Paul Tournament on Saturday.
On a windy afternoon that featured a pair of outstanding pitching outings, it was only fitting that defense would be the difference.
Even if there was some fortune involved.
"Sometimes it's better to be a little lucky than good," Burnias said.
Against the Knights, Devers and Paraclete were both.
ALONSO TACANGA/Valley Press
LANCASTER — Tuesday's game-saving play came to Paraclete starter Javahn Devers during the sixth inning much like the wind had all afternoon.
Fast and at his face.
"That was fortunate, I guess," he said.
Swift reflexes in place with runners at the corners, Devers caught Desert Christian junior Andrew Bayard's hard-hit smack right back to him and erased the Knights' would-be-game-evener with a 1-3 double play during the Spirits' 2-0 non-league win.
Playing through violent winds, Devers' quick glove helped him record a three-hit shutout of the intra-city rivals, who could only laugh off seeing their best scoring chance blasted into two momentum-killing outs.
"I stung it and it just didn't go my way that time," Bayard said. "That's how baseball goes sometimes."
Devers' counterpart on the mound, Desert Christian's Jared Stephens, pitched a four-hitter while walking two batters with four strikeouts. He, however, was unable to find the needed breaks to win the pitchers' duel.
Scoreless through 5 innings, Alex Ravago - who reached first on an error -was driven in by senior John Serrato's single to center field two batters later. It was the Spirits' second hit of the day.
It would also prove to be the game-winner.
"It's one of the greatest feelings," Serrato said of his clutch hit. "Just trying not to do too much especially with this strong wind."
Added Paraclete head coach Greg Burnias: "Serrato has been huge for us all season. He's come up with big hit after big hit. I can't say enough about he's done for us."
Following their biggest defensive play of the day, the Spirits added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Ravago singled in Cory Konter, who had first reached base on an error.
Another error allowed the Knights to put two runners on with one out in the top of the seventh, but Devers retired the next two batters to preserve the win.
It was a gusty one.
"It just completely changes your game plan," Burnias said of the weather conditions. "You got to learn to adjust with it."
A sophomore in search of perfection even in challenging circumstances, Devers wasn't pleased with his three-hit, no-runs outing.
"Statistics don't really matter to me," said Devers, who walked three batters and struck one out. "Personally I felt like I didn't throw first-pitch strikes. I didn't put guys away as much as I could.
"There's always room for improvement."
Serrato didn't seem surprised by Devers' assessment of his performance.
"(Devers) is one of the hardest workers," Serrato said. "He's really tough on himself.
"He comes out and gives us good quality outings every single time. It's really fun playing defense behind him."
In the losing dugout, Bayard lamented being unable to pick up his own pitcher. The Knights had four errors in total.
"Jared Stephens went out and we couldn't give him any run support out there," Bayard said. "That's what we got to work on."
Two of DC's hits on the day came from Andrew Smith and Nick Rust, the Knights' No. 8 and No. 9 hitters.
The win was Serrato's fourth against the Knights in his career.
"It's pretty much for private-school bragging rights out here in the AV," he said.
Desert Christian gets back to Desert Mountain League play on April 7 against Mojave while Paraclete will face St. Paul at the St. Paul Tournament on Saturday.
On a windy afternoon that featured a pair of outstanding pitching outings, it was only fitting that defense would be the difference.
Even if there was some fortune involved.
"Sometimes it's better to be a little lucky than good," Burnias said.
Against the Knights, Devers and Paraclete were both.