Polanco Is a Hit All Over the Field for Notre Dame

SHERMAN OAKS — Blowing down batters like a major-league closer, right-hander Phillip Polanco of Notre Dame High threw two scoreless innings of relief and contributed a game-winning RBI single in the Knights’ 2-1 season-opening victory over Canyon on Friday in the Westside tournament.

The hard-throwing Polanco retired six consecutive Canyon batters in the final two innings, including three by strikeouts. He also drove in James Rivero from third with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie.

“I’m just thrilled,” said Notre Dame Coach Tom Dill of Polanco’s performance. “The way he was hitting his spots, I felt I was calling pitches with a remote control.”

Mike Munn of Canyon, a junior right-hander, pitched well enough to beat most teams. He allowed one hit through five innings--Rivero’s home run to right in the third. But Notre Dame (1-0) has a pitching staff like few others in the region.

Starter Kevin Jerkens struck out four, walked none and gave up four hits in five innings.

For a first game, both teams performed superbly in the field. There were no errors and one memorable catch. Center fielder John Horwitz of Notre Dame took away a potential first-inning home run by Munn when he caught the ball while crashing into the portable fence in center.

“That was ridiculous,” Munn said of Horwitz’s play. “He probably would have got knocked out [if it were a wall].”

Last season, Horwitz stole a home run from Joe Borchard of Camarillo in the Southern Section Division I playoffs with another circus catch.

“He’s a shy kid, but on the field he’s reckless,” Notre Dame assistant coach Oscar Macias said. “As great a catch as it was, it’s not a surprise.”

The Cowboys took a 1-0 lead in the third on Ben Metcalf’s double off the left-field fence and Ted Atler’s RBI single.

Rivero, a sophomore, tied the game with his home run in the bottom of the third.

Canyon, only 6-19 last season, had much to be encouraged.

“We’re not going to back down to anybody,” Metcalf said.

Neither is Polanco, who has the makeup of an elite closer.

“It was pretty sweet,” Jerkens said watching Polanco.