Generally speaking, quality pitching is the key to success in baseball.
That hasn’t been the problem for the Burroughs High baseball team early on this season.
But the hitting has been a completely different story.
The Indians remained winless Saturday evening after being shut out 5-0 by visiting St. Francis High of La Canada Flintridge.
“It’s hard to win with half a run a game. We’re just not hitting,” Burroughs coach Craig Sherwood said. “It’s not that we aren’t competing. We’re competing with everybody. We’re just not hitting.”
Burroughs (0-6) has played against only high-quality competition thus far, with its other losses coming to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Chatsworth Sierra Canyon, Saugus, Chatsworth, and Reseda Cleveland highs. But the Indians have just three runs to show for.
“I don’t want easy and the kids don’t want easy,” Sherwood said. “Right now we’re still tied for first in the Pacific League and we have to keep that outlook. Nobody is happy right now, but nobody is quitting either.”
Burroughs had just two hits against the visiting Golden Knights, who improved to 4-3.
St. Francis left-hander Brandon Markarian had seven strikeouts in six innings and Burroughs had just three base runners when he was on the mound.
“Coming off the bus I was really focused. I was trying something different. I went into the dugout, got my headphones on and just started focusing on the pitch,” Markarian said. “I wasn’t focusing on the offense, just defense and it worked out. The fastball was working really well and the offspeed felt really good.”
Burroughs put two runners on in the third inning as James Turner had a two-out single and Brian Garcia drew a walk. But Markarian was able to get out of the inning.
Julian Jaramillo almost got the Indians started off on the right track in the fourth inning but was robbed of a hit by a fine defensive play from St. Francis second baseman Tommy Italia, who stopped his line drive from going into the outfield.
Burroughs starting pitcher Xavier Dubon was solid through four innings before the Golden Knights started to come alive.
Bradyn Muro walked. Jack Duncan followed with a single. Nico Manes then reached on an error, which scored Muro. Mikey Kane followed with a single and Matt Odom and Doyle Kane hit back-to-back doubles to right center field. Stephen Castro followed with a single before Dubon was able to get out of the inning.
Garcia reached base in the sixth inning for Burroughs on a St. Francis error. But he was left stranded.
Nicco Chuidian had a long one-out single in the seventh inning for the Indians. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch but was also left stranded.
