By Justin HAGER

The Crescenta Valley High School girls’ softball team is on fire after five straight shutout victories, including a 4-0 win over the MaxPreps California top 100-ranked Burroughs Bears on Tuesday. The Falcons have outscored their opponents 44-0 in their last five matchups, are 3-0 in Pacific League play and are performing at an elite level both offensively and defensively.

Offensively, senior Izzy Jamgotchian and Mila Reddy are locked in a neck-and-neck battle for this season’s home run honors and receiving extensive support from other hard-hitting batters like junior Lily Hinkle. Combined with outstanding defense from senior Lauren Curtis and junior Hayley Neale, and lights-out pitching from sophomores Jaiden Sabelis, who threw a no hitter two weeks ago, and Perri Derian, who threw a 13 strikeout one-hitter against Pasadena last week, established the Falcons as a defensive powerhouse.

CVHS will have the opportunity to throw a wrench in the plans of one of their Pacific League rivals later today, Thursday, March 10 when they host the Burbank Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are tied with CV at 3-0 and atop the Pacific League standings. Like CV, the Bulldogs are on a four-game winning streak in which they have held their opponents scoreless.

The Falcon boys’ baseball team was also on the field this week, continuing their pursuit of the Pacific League title against Hoover. CVHS entered the matchup 2-0 in league play after a pair of shutout victories last week over Pasadena. In game one of the matchup, pitcher Jameson Ferraro led the Falcons to a 4-0 victory by throwing a seven-strikeout no-hitter complete game. Kris McCollum hit a three-run homer in the seventh to seal the victory. In game two, pitcher Connor Campbell pitched five shutout innings with only two hits allowed and seven strikeouts. Combined with outstanding offensive production from McCollum and Luke Steele, the Falcons secured the 10-0 win.

Although Tuesday’s matchup against Hoover wasn’t a shutout, it was perhaps the best all-around performance the Falcons have had thus far. Following a complete performance that saw multiple extra base hits, good defense and solid pitching, the Falcons beat the Hoover Tornadoes 13-2 and moved to 3-0 in Pacific League play.

Hoover will have the opportunity for revenge tomorrow night (Friday) when they travel to Stengel Field for a 7 p.m. showdown. That game kicks off a busy week for the Falcons who will play six games in eight days as one of the hosts of the 2022 Babe Herman Tournament.