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E-mail StoryStars still have Wolf Pack's number
North wins third straight against SWYL foe; will play Visalia-Mt. Whitney in semifinals
| Thursday, May 15 2008 10:51 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, May 15 2008 10:58 PM
North pitcher Clyde Barbour had simple objectives for his Central Section Division II quarterfinal playoff start against visiting Ridgeview on Thursday.
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The approach proved to effective though as Barbour went seven strong innings to lead the Stars to a 7-1 victory over the Wolf Pack.
"I just went out there and planned on throwing the whole game." Barbour said. "I just wanted to do really good for my team. I wanted to come out and throw strikes, get ahead in the count so I didn't get behind and walk guys. When I walk guys bad things usually happen."
That never posed a problem for Barbour (5-1) as he pitched a complete game allowing just one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out nine.
"The whole thing is the guy on the mound," North coach Cy Silver said. "Clyde went out there and did what we expected of him as a senior leader that's been up here for 2-3 years. He gave us a good effort on the mound. We felt going in that as long as we pitched better than them, put the ball in play and made them make plays we knew that we would at least have a chance to win the game."
The North (21-11) offensive attack gave Barbour plenty of early run support with three runs in the first inning and three more in the second.
Bryant Nichols hit an RBI double in the first to put the Stars up 1-0. He would eventually score on back-to-back wild pitches by Braudrick.
No. 2 North parlayed a John Northrop double, a Greg Reed single, and three walks into three more runs in the second.
"You've got to take the walks that they give you and you have to have timely hitting," Silver said. "And you have to make sure you run the bases well and take advantage the mistakes. Our kids did that."
It was the Stars third straight win against their Southwest Yosemite League rival this season.
"It's real big," Barbour said. "We've already played these guys twice in league. And I'd already thrown against them twice so that's really big for me. Usually the third time is not good, it's not as pretty."
Ridgeview starting pitcher Tyler Braudrick lasted only 11/3 innings before being pulled in favor of Jordan Garza. Braudrick gave up three hits but walked four and threw three wild pitches.
"He (Braudrick) was throwing well I thought," Ridgeview coach Jason Hunsaker said. "The strike zone was a little smaller than he's used to."
No. 10 Ridgeview's only run came in the sixth on a two-out RBI double by Jordan Hussey after Arthur Charles reached on a two base error by North first baseman Bryant Nichols.
The Wolf Pack (15-17) left runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings. Barbour struck out both Armando Ponce and Ian Hussey with a runner at second to get out of the second inning unscathed.
The next inning Barbour once again got out a jam without allowing a run by fanning Braudrick and Charles after Kenny Howell led off the inning with a double.