Baseball Showdown: Rutherford shines in victory
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Rutherford is bringing some serious heat.
By Keith Lair
Staff Writer
ARCADIA -- Arcadia High School pitcher Bryce Rutherford is not quite in midseason form.
And on Tuesday night, neither were the Monrovia bats. But then, the Apaches' right- handed ace might have had something to do with that.
Rutherford pitched six innings of no-hit ball and catcher Mike Nigolian hit a solo homer to lead Arcadia to a 2-0 victory in the final round of round-robin play in the Arcadia Elks tournament.
Rutherford struck out 11 and was taken out one batter after Uriel Vasquez led off the seventh inning with an infield single on a 3-1 count.
"The beginning of the season, I have to get it down more," Rutherford said.
"I was definitely tired out there at the end."
He did not know he had a no-hitter going, he said, until a teammate told him.
"I was surprised," he said. "I was not thinking about it."
The Apaches have yet to give up a run this season in advancing to the tournament semifinals against San Gabriel. Rutherford, who has given up only three hits in his two pitching appearances this season, had only one ball hit out of the infield Tuesday.
"We would have liked to get him out after five, but you can't take a kid out of there with a no-hitter," Arcadia coach Nick Lemas said.
"He was erratic at times, but he's a competitor."
In some ways the game had a lot of playoff intensity. The schools are only two miles apart and have proud programs with plenty of success.
"It was a great game for early in the season," Monrovia co-coach Dave Moore said.
"It was an early-season game with a playoff atmosphere. That's what we want."
The Apaches (3-0) had only four hits, but it was first- inning walks that got the Wildcats (2-1) in trouble. Monrovia starter Chris Calver walked the first two batters, Rick Cleeland and Jon Larson. Tim Smoley flied out, but Rutherford walked to load the bases. Garret Tuck hit a grounder to shortstop Robert Nakumura, who went to Nick Bueno at second base for the forceout, but Bueno's throw to first took a hop and Tuck avoided the double play. Pinch runner Phil Anderson scored.
Calver settled down and gave up two hits until Nigolian sent a 1-0 pitch over the right-field fence in the fourth inning.
Four times the Wildcats got a runner to second against Rutherford, but that was as far as they would get. Three of those times were by walk and stolen base, twice with one out. Rutherford followed them up with strikeouts.
"We were very passive," Moore said.
"(Rutherford) was around the plate all day. Why you wouldn't want to go up there hacking, I don't know."
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Can you let me know how do you create such comment system like on this website?
I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I've bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.
I was also at the Monrovia game. Arcadia has a group very talented ballplays. The only real compition was Monrovia and they shut them down. Hats off to coach Lemas. I read his comments this morning in the paper, and I think his getting it. Its the TEAM as a whole and not any one or two players.
SGV Basebal Fan, I also attended two of the Glendora's Touranent games. Arcadia can hold its own with anyone that I've seen so far. Arcadia's defense is real.
I was also at the Monrovia game. Arcadia has a group very talented ballplays. The only real compition was Monrovia and they shut them down. Hats off to coach Lemas. I read his comments this morning in the paper, and I think his getting it. Its the TEAM as a whole and not any one or two players.
SGV Basebal Fan, I also attended two of the Glendora's Touranent games. Arcadia can hold its own with anyone that I've seen so far. Arcadia's defense is real.
Five games played, Arcadia has scored 47 runs and given up Two. Hey Old Timer, I saw you at the TC/Arcadia game what do you think?
BBF, SP fans still here dude. I'd say our team of sophmores played pretty darn well against the Jr/Sr team that St. Francis fielded yesterday. with SP down 2-0, we tied it at 2-2, then down 5-2, we tied it at 5-5. yep, we got to tighten up our D-fence, thats for sure. we hit a lot of at-a-balls yesterday, or a 7th inning late game rally could have materialized. I would not be too high on SF pitching this season, it doesnt look to deep for a D-1 school. could be a long season in league for you too.
Arcadia is GANSTA!!! man
Amen!
arcadia is GANSTA!!!!! man
amen!
arcadia is GANSTA!!!!! man
amen!
Realist,
APU is always an NAIA playoff team and are as good as / can beat many D1 teams. They get an extraordinary amount of kids drafted; I don't see why a solid player like Rutherford wouldn't consider it.
Noticed that there is not much noise from South Pas fans after St. Francis beat them. After all the early chest pounding on this blog, they will finish 4 or 5 in the RHL this year. No pitching depth, can't hit good pitching and do not look very strong up the middle.
I hope Rutherford is patient before commiting. He is much better then APU........Looking forward to seeing how he pitches against a very stacked Burroughs lineup who has a few Division 1 guys on Tuesday............
I told you Walnut was a good team. Again Monrovia played sloppy and got beat with their ace on the mound. St. Francis should do well against the public schools in our area, but will take another beating in league. Pasadena coninues to find a way to win by only getting 1 hit and beating Wester Christian 3-2. 2 games to watch this Saturday. PHS vs South Pas, South Pasadena is the better team, but Pasadena is scrappy. And of course the Arcadia TC Game.......look for Tuck and Smouse to shut them down
Apache Joe:
TC has more than just Sanderson, and by the way Sanderson was never going to pitch this season anyway. He dislocated his throwing shouder playing football. I've also noticed that he has not been in the lineup the last 2 games so there must a reason like an injury. I would suspect it has to do with that same shouder, anyone know?? I agree that TC does not have much of a shot on Sat. but they won't be scared. They did beat Arcadia twice last year and have 6 starters coming back from that team. I think TC is better than everyone thinks. Afterall everyone talks about SF as a great team and TC beat them to start the season.
Arcadia is going to spank Temple City this Saturday. Just like they do at all sports. All TC has is Sanderson. And hes not even going to pitch. Good luck Temple City.
rutherford is looking at APU
Realist
Thanks for the info on Walnut.
I've been reading your posts and find your comments succinct and fair.
Hope to see more in the future.
realist, There are WSGV guys some committed to colleges. The East SGV has quite a few guys committed but a lot of those guys play quite a bit out of the SGV.
Rutherford isn't signed yet. It isn't easy being from the West San Garbriel Valley, we don't get the respect as the Long Beach, OC and Riverside kids get. Walnut is a good team with a solid centerfielder. They got upset by Pasadena 2-1 or they would be playing Arcadia. Monrovia expect a tough game today. Get Gabrielino out of the top 10 please.........
Calling all tigers apologists,
While I admire your collective spirit, it ain't going to happen this year- maybe next/good luck this afternoon- I want them to compete!
Tony the Tiger: keep it up man, we're gett'n under the skin of those La Salle and SF bloggers. Of course everytime SP wins, we did it against the opponents worst pitcher. For Eagleballs info, the four runs that La Salle scored to break open last saturday's game came off one pitcher, who was then pulled, and the replacement pitcher shut down the Mighty La Salle for the rest of the game. Go Tigers
While we're mentioning misspellings...just an FYI to Mr. Lair... Garrett Tuck has two "T's" in Garrett, not one. Oh yeah, Rutherford is a BEAST!
Where is Rutherford committed to?
miguel,
you spelled uriel's last name wrong the only hitter that hit arcadia's ace
its velasco
Rutherford is beast
Rutherford is beast
Please use your own Name!
I don't even know who pat carroll is?
TtheT-
Those ranking were absolutely ridiculous.
Where was la salle who beat your tigers?
Leave the Rankings up to Miguel but good try buddy.
eagleball: We'll see what happens Thursday! Go Tigers!!
T cubed,
Against SG, tigers had 5 hits-didn't see Verela...Alhambra, they worked the starter (who only lasted 1.2) for 6, still managing to strike out 5 times throughout the line-up. LaS- ok, 10 hits (but only 3 runs??? Did they leave the infield?)- as for the SF winterball game, please reference the previous from GK
Good Knight said:
Tony the Tiger- Was that the scrimmage game where St. Francis was up 5 runs and pulled ALL their starters in the 8th inning and SP came back and won with their starters in there? I am pretty sure scrimmages aren't big factors in moving up the area rankings nor is being 2-1. Beat St. Francis on Thursday to go 3-1 and then I am sure you guys will move up.
...bring those bats Thursday and see if they can get'em out of the rack!
pat carroll for president!
Man Arcadia sucks
Man Arcadia sucks
eagleball: No Bats??!! South Pas already beat St. Francis and put up 8 runs, then they put up 7 against the #2 ranked Alhambra and another 7 against San Gabriel. After their bats take care of St. Francis tomorrow this should be the new rankings:
1. Arcadia
2. South Pasadena
3. Monrovia
4. Alhambra
5 Maranatha
6. St. Francis
7. Temple City
8. San Marino
9. La Canada
10. Gabrielino
Go Tigers!! Look out RHL!!
Huntzinger was taking his visit to the Air Force Academy (where hes probably going next year) and missed school on Tuesday. He couldn't play according to CIF rules.
Word is Monrovia .vs Walnut Thursday@Home.
Anyone have a take on Walnut?
I haven't seen them play before.
ball-llistic
Huntzinger was not allowed to play because he was out of town and missed school. That is what i meant to sau
ball-listic
Never said "Great" defense but the Cats only
had 3 strike-outs, somebody made the rest.
BFF,
Your kids may surprise a few teams but I don't see it (can't hit)...too much @ the top in the RHL.
Miguel,
u thought Rutherford would give up 5 runs?
thats disappointing......
but other than that it was a great game. Monrovia played very hard and came out of the gate ready to contend. Calver was alittle too pumped on the mound as he walked the leadoff batter that came around to score be he settled down nicely. Arcadia hit alot of Atem-Balls but were able to scrap together the win. Great game.
Rutherford dominated like he should. He is a very talented high school pitcher. Monrovia did a good job holding Arcadia to only 2 runs with all the walks and errors they had. Monrovia is still the favorite in league. The young PHS bulldogs will battle for 4th place in league with a chance to upset quality teams.
Baseball Fan: how in the world did San Gabriel make it into the semi final round. that is a complete joke. are you sure that is correct??
Eagle Ball: SG threw some big dude that also played first base. I love it that SP does not get any respect when we win. We'll take that as a chip on our shoulder this season and surprise some folks.
Good Knight, and Dark Knight: great, a rematch with St. Francis on thursday, Bring it on, we are ready in SP!!
Tony the Tiger- Was that the scrimmage game where St. Francis was up 5 runs and pulled ALL their starters in the 8th inning and SP came back and won with their starters in there? I am pretty sure scrimmages aren't big factors in moving up the area rankings nor is being 2-1. Beat St. Francis on Thursday to go 3-1 and then I am sure you guys will move up. Good Luck!
Not sure what "big baseball fanatic" was watching but Monrvia had horrible defence in the infield. Arcadia should have won by much bigger numbers and to the "anonymous" guy who said Huntzinger was out of town, he must be that drunk that was sitting by the restroom drinking his beer . Zinger walked right by me and said hi.. He was on the bench
TtheT;
did SP face the SG ace or the left fielder? Not that good- punch out
Cats played well just couldn't string any offense together.
.Jr Chris Calver started a little shaky but then came out firing for 4 innings only giving up 2 runs.
.Jr Aaron Murphree followed up with 2 Shut-Out innings giving up 1 hit.
Rutherford went 6 and 1/3 with numerous strike-outs and gave up no runs.
All in all a good game with defense on both sides.
What does Arcadia's centerfielder not playing have to do with anything? How is that equivalent to Monrovia's ace pitcher not starting?
Can anybody update me on the Pacific Islander fun facts in the WSGV. Geez guys, 2 - 0 Arcadia. Sounds like a a great way to spend a Tuesday night. Props to Rutherford. Seems like they had opportunities to cash in more but didn't execute. Monrovia, way to represent us at the Census Bureau.
Here are the Simi-Final Matchups for Thurs.
Arcadia will host San Gabriel
Temple City will host La Salle
i dont want to hear any of this stuff about kilbury not pitching, because the apaches center fielder and lead off hitter david huntzinger didnt even play today because he was out of town.
You might need to adjust the rankings. South Pas is now 2-1. They beat San Gabriel 7-2 today. Next up is St. Francis who they already beat last week in the last pre-season scrimmage. South Pas is shooting for the RHL title and this might be their year! Go Tigers!
Arcadia 2 Monrovia 0
Rutherford threw a no hitter to the 7th, Gave up 1 hit.
Arcadia seemed like they had about 15+ runners left on base. They opened up the game very well.
ANONYMOUS PEOPLE:
GET CREATIVE AND PICK A SCREEN NAME FOR THE BLOG!!!!! I'm REALLY starting to get annoyed at all these anonymous names. Sheesh!
I'll know Thursday's schedule by tomorrow morning so check back until then.
anyone know the top 4 teams that will be playing on thursday?
News Flash....
Parisi and his Bulldogs just edged out Walnut 2-1! They weren't even expected to come close! He's got some real young talents over there at PHS. Great victory for that program today. I think they may contend in the Pacific League this year. Parisi's got them working really hard, I hear.
La Salle - 3
Alhambra - 1
Old School Picture of Past Cat Greats!
Coach 'B', Catcher-Nick Fabanish, Pitcher-Eric Allen
Sadly, I won't be there to check it out. I'll be covering the St. Francis soccer game at 5 p.m. I'm sure I'll catch some more showdowns down the road.
Miguel
Yes 2 Miles apart but also,
2 Divisions II .vs IV and
2,000 more students to pull talent from
that always gives Arcadia the highground.
Cats always make it a good game anyhow,
and tonight won't be any different.
Hey Anonymus: Maybe Miguel just knows how Great Monrovia Can and has been...Hmm
wow miguel are you really picking monrovia?
I dont think you understand how good arcadia is.
This is going to be a great game. I'm hoping for a close one, coming down to the bottom innings to decide a winner. Good luck to both squads tonight.
Go Apaches!
M,
Hell yes Bryce is going tonight! Arcadia wants to put all of this garbage to rest- no one better in big games... I'll be looking for my Jackson