Valley High School Baseball : Poly Defeats Sylmar, 1-0, Despite Nealon’s Absence

Four different pitchers have started in the two East Valley League games between Poly and Sylmar this season, but that doesn’t seem to affect the outcome.

Poly beat Sylmar, 1-0, Monday when Poly’s Nick Lymberopoulos defeated the Spartans’ Nino Romo. Poly (13-2, 11-0 in league play) beat Sylmar (9-5, 8-2) by the same score earlier this year in the teams’ first meeting when the Parrots’ Greg Nealon beat Sylmar’s Olonzo Woodfin.

Neither Woodfin nor Nealon were available this time. Nealon, who is 6-0 with a 0.61 earned-run average in 34 innings, has mononucleosis and his availability is “day to day,” according to Poly Coach Jerry Cord. Woodfin, who was 4-1 with a 0.68 ERA, broke his ankle during practice last week and will be out for the season.

Lymberopoulos (4-1) limited Sylmar to four hits and two walks while striking out six. He didn’t allow a baserunner past second base.

Luis Porres scored Poly’s only run in the bottom of the first inning after singling with one out. Porres scored on a double by Luis Garcia.

Chatsworth 3, Taft 1--Chatsworth, ranked No. 1 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball, improved to 7-0 in West Valley League play with with a come-from-behind win at Taft.

Granada Hills 4, Birmingham 2--Granada Hills capitalized on five Birmingham errors to remain in first place in the Mid-Valley League. Senior Eric Harris pitched a four-hitter for a complete-game win at Granada Hills.

Kennedy 5, San Fernando 4--Three Kennedy doubles and an error led to a five-run second inning as the Golden Cougars upset San Fernando in a Mid-Valley League game at San Fernando.