BASEBALL: HART DEPENDS ON PITCHING STARTING TRIO KEEPS OPPONENTS AT BAY.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Hart High's baseball team is up in arms, and that's a good thing.

The starting pitching rotation is among the Foothill League's deepest with left-handers Tyler Fick and Steve Sanchez and right-hander Tyler Lyon proving effective despite Hart (5-6, 2-2) producing just two home runs entering today's 3:15 p.m. game at Burbank.

Fick, a junior, is 2-1 with a 3.39 ERA, one save and 23 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings. Sanchez, a senior, is 0-2 but has a 1.45 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings. Lyon, a sophomore who is expected to start today, is 1-0 with a 2.86 ERA and nine strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings.

``Not to put anyone down, but we knew coming in that pitching would be the strength of our team this year, and those guys have been dead on,'' coach Jim Ozella said. ``It's been important, too, because we're not a physical team. We're more the type of team that hits the ball all over the field.''

Hart is in danger of having its lowest home-run output since hitting five in 1993. This season, Hart has scored five runs or fewer in seven of 11 games, so without such effective pitching, the team would be in serious trouble.

The good news is, if and when Hart's hitting comes around, the Indians could improve from a .500 team into contenders.

``We're trying to keep the other team's runs down because we're not scoring that much. But we broke out against Canyon a couple of games ago, so maybe we're starting to hit better,'' Sanchez said.

Fick has tried to turn Hart's lack of run production into a positive. He isn't expecting three-run home runs every other inning, so that forces him to focus more.

``I think it just makes me think about hitting my spots because if I don't, one hit might be the difference in the game,'' Fick said. ``Basically, all three of us aren't satisfied if we don't pitch at least five strong innings every time we go out there. No less than that.''

Lyon is the youngster in the group but might have the biggest upside because he's 6-foot-4 and has been on the varsity since his freshman season. He said he's working on keeping his emotions in check, and he's grateful to have experienced mentors such as Fick and Sanchez helping him.

``They're teaching me not to worry and not to lose my concentration if I don't like the umpire's call,'' Lyon said. ``I can get a little emotional out there.''

Lyon also is optimistic Hart will score more runs, not just for him but for everyone.

``I really think our hitting will come around. We've got some talented hitters,'' he said.

In the meantime, the pitchers will do everything they can to keep Hart close.

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Photo:

From left, Tyler Lyon, Steve Sanchez and Tyler Fick are reliable on the mound.

David Crane/Staff Photographer

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