North Hollywood Is Its Worst Enemy, 6-4

Tim Driscoll can’t get any respect.

The North Hollywood High pitcher lost his third decision in four games, but his coach insists the right-hander is far better than his won-loss record indicates.

“Driscoll is by far the best pitcher in the area,” said Huskies Coach Brian York, whose team lost, 6-4, to visiting Sylmar on Thursday. “He just hasn’t had any luck.”

At least not any good luck.

Driscoll went the distance, striking out 12 and walking one. He gave up six runs, two earned.

North Hollywood led, 3-0, after three innings then fell asleep on defense in the top of the fourth. The Spartans scored five times on five hits. In the end, three North Hollywood errors and Sylmar’s speed made the difference.

Sylmar (7-1) moved into an East Valley League tie with Grant, which was upset Thursday by Fairfax. North Hollywood dropped to third at 5-3. Sylmar travels to Grant on Tuesday.

“We can’t make any errors or mistakes against Grant. They are too good a team, and we won’t win if we make mistakes,” Sylmar Coach John Klitsner.

Sylmar’s Jose Garcia and Biff McGahan reached base on North Hollywood errors and eventually scored. Rick Diaz, batting .400, singled in Garcia, and McGahan scored on a David Nunez grounder.

Mark Girard and Isidro Rodriquez each had infield singles to load the bases. Glen Raskopf doubled to left, scoring Nunez and Girard. Rodriquez scored on an aborted pickoff play to cap the five-run inning.

“We’re the kind of team that has to take advantage of things like that (errors),” Klitsner said. “We’re not going to overpower anyone. We didn’t have anybody hit the ball really hard, but I am pleased for the amount of ability we have.”

North Hollywood, which has only two returning players, has been wrestling with fielding problems this season, York said.

“We made numerous mental errors and a lot of physical errors,” York said. “I think we hit the ball significantly harder than they did.”

The Huskies did outhit the Spartans, 11-8, but York conceded his team needs work on “everything.”

Sylmar’s McGahan (2-0) won his first start after getting a win in relief earlier this season.

Right fielder Steve Bernstein led North Hollywood with three singles in four at-bats. Tim Marquez had two hits for the Huskies, including an RBI double in the third.

Bernstein blamed the loss on inexperience.

“It’s just a lack of experience,” he said. But this team is fired up. I think we’ve been coming around and we’re getting better every day. Driscoll is one of the best pitchers around and our defense couldn’t back him up.”