Nordhoff diamondmen crush Cardinals, 8-1
By Jesse Phelps

This one was over practically before it began. In a Frontier League matchup between Nordhoff and Santa Paula, Ranger third baseman Ian Le Clere powered two home runs over the left field fence, including a first inning grand slam, to propel Nordhoff to a dominating 8-1 victory.

Nordhoff knocked Santa Paula starting pitcher Anthony Bavero out of the game after he faced just two hitters. Third baseman Breal Rowe lined a fastball back at the mound and off Bavero's back for an infield single and Bavero immediately headed to the dugout.

His replacement, John Ramirez, retired one batter before hitting Nordhoff right fielder Josh Catlett and yielding a single to catcher Ronnie Bush.

That brought up Le Clere, who knocked a pitch well over the fence for his first career grand slam and first home run of the year.

Nordhoff scored twice more two innings later on La Clere's second long ball of the game.

With one out, Bush doubled - his sixth consecutive hit over two games - to set up his teammate.

Le Clere said he almost didn't make it to the game. "The funny thing was, it was a minimum day (at school) and I went home and fell asleep," he said. "When I woke up I had to call coach and tell him I was going to be late. But today I was just seeing the ball well."

After the second home run, Nordhoff led 6-1. From there, the game was in the hands of sophomore starting pitcher Jacob Orozco, and he didn't disappoint. Orozco provided five strikeouts over a seven-inning complete game victory.

Nordhoff coach Matt Cresto praised his young starter for a well-pitched outing. "He did a good job of spotting up and worked his curve in real well. He threw strikes for us today."

Nordhoff tallied two more runs before the day was over but Cresto conceded that the game was won on the bat of Le Clere. "He finally came out of it," Cresto said. "He'd been ina little bit of a slump. But he was hitting the ball well today and producing with runners in scoring position. He shortened up his swing some."

Le Clere and the rest of the suddenly scorching hot Rangers play next on Saturday at the Crecenta Valley tournament.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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