This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

South Pasadena Sports Notebook: Spring Sports are Under Way at South Pasadena

The South Pasadena baseball and softball teams opened the 2011 season facing some of Southern California's top competition.

If a team’s first game provides any indication of things to come, then the South Pasadena baseball team is in for an exciting season under second-year coach Anthony Chevrier.

The Tigers opened the Elks Tournament last Friday with a 7-6 extra-inning victory over the hosting Apaches.

The Tigers led 6-2 in the seventh inning, but all-league pitcher Anthony D’ Oro tired in his first outing of the year and was relieved, allowing the Apaches to rally and force extra innings. In the top of the ninth, Brian Swanson walked, stole second base, and scored on a base hit by Dylan Trimarchi. Keaton Leach pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to pick up the win for South Pasadena.

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Anthony looked solid for us, but we didn’t want to stretch him out too far is his first start,” said Chevrier. “Keaton was big for us. We have a lot of young arms this year."

Unfortunately the Tigers lost a slugfest to Pasadena Poly in their next game 11-7. On Tuesday South Pasadena’s bats went cold and the team fell 2-0 to Pasadena despite a brilliant pitching performance by Derek Eisen.

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Both their runs were unearned which is disappointing because Derek pitched so well,” Chevrier said.

The Tigers are running on less than full strength to start the year. Senior Tony Veiller who led the team with three home runs and finished fifth in the Rio Hondo League with a 2.08 ERA in 2010 is currently rehabilitating a chipped finger bone on his throwing hand.

“He’s just now starting to swing the bat, but we won’t see him back out on the mound for about a month,” Chevrier said.

The Tigers will face Sierra Vista on Thursday and finish up tournament play on Saturday against an opponent yet to be determined.

The South Pasadena softball team also got its season under way last week in the Duarte Tournament. The Tigers lost the first three games in a tough bracket that included traditional powerhouses Covina and Crescenta Valley, but first-year coach Molly Mercer is still happy with where the team is headed.

“Laura (Parada) played great,” Mercer said. “She’s our lone senior so we’re looking to her for leadership. She batted .605 in the first three games and has been fantastic in centerfield.”

South Pasadena opened the tournament last Friday with a back and forth battle against Arcadia, but eventually lost 7-5. Marissa Baca, the team’s ace pitcher last season, started the game, but pitched just two innings. Baca suffered a mild arm injury in the preseason and Mercer plans to work her back slowly.

The Tigers lost their second game on Friday 18-5 against Arcadia, but the game’s venue hurt South Pasadena’s chances.

“Duarte’s off-campus field didn’t have a fence which hurt us,” said Mercer. “Anything they hit in the gap became a home run and we couldn’t keep up with their power. Also, I think we were a little tired finishing a double-header.”

A lack of pitching depth and experience were apparent in the Tigers’ 11-0 loss against Crescenta Valley on Saturday. Rotation mainstay Camille Myers will be unavailable in the immediate future due to athletic ineligibility, and Mercer elected to use some of the young arms against the Falcons.

“I think these tough matchups are going to pay off for us down the road,” said Mercer. “Kelsey Hong looks like she’s going to be an important pitcher for us. She doesn’t throw that hard yet, but has some great off-speed pitches.”

The Tigers will continue Duarte Tournament play against Marshall Fundamental on Saturday and will open the Arroyo Tournament on Monday with a double-header against Montebello and Rowland.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from South Pasadena