CIF BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : Bad Back Makes It Tough for Star Melendez to Carry St. Bernard Nine in Playoffs

On more than one occasion this season, Dan Melendez has strapped the St. Bernard High baseball team to his back and carried the Vikings to victory.

But that might not be possible in the playoffs.

Coach Bob Yarnall said his star pitcher-first baseman is nursing a sore back and will not start on the mound Friday when the fourth-seeded Vikings (18-5) open the CIF-Southern Section 2-A playoffs against Pomona (10-14) at 3:15 p.m. at St. Bernard.

“We’re going to try to save Danny as much as possible,” Yarnall said. “We can’t jeopardize his career.”

Melendez, named the Camino Real League Most Valuable Player, felt pain in his lower back while pitching against St. Monica on May 3, Yarnall said. The injury bothered him again last week in El Segundo’s 6-5, eight-inning win over St. Bernard for the league title.

“It’s a very peculiar injury,” Yarnall said. “It bothers him only when he throws, and he feels a twinge only every now and then.”

Senior right-hander Al Ibarra (7-1) will start in place of Melendez, who tops the team with a 9-2 mark and a South Bay-leading 1.24 ERA. But Yarnall said he won’t hesitate to pitch the left-hander if Ibarra runs into trouble.

Pomona, the third-place team from the Montview League, has a modest record, but the Red Devils are coming off their biggest victory of the season after ending top-ranked Gladstone’s 22-game winning streak, 2-0, Friday behind a two-hitter by junior right-hander Robert Navarro.

Melendez’s sore back apparently doesn’t hurt his hitting. The Pepperdine-bound senior hit his 12th home run of the season Friday to give him 31 career homers, one shy of the Southern Section record of 32 held by Scott Sharts of Simi Valley. Melendez also leads the team with 38 RBIs and a .547 (35 for 64) average. Freshman Grant Hohman ranks second at .400.

Although St. Bernard was seeded fourth, the Vikings were not granted one of eight first-round byes in the 2-A playoffs. The byes were given to first-place teams. Camino Real League champion El Segundo (22-5) and Santa Fe League champ Mary Star (19-6) will open play in the second round Tuesday.

Following is a rundown of other Southern Section playoff openers involving South Bay teams. All games start at 3:15 p.m. Friday:

5-A DIVISION

Palos Verdes (17-10) vs. Millikan (17-8) at Blair Field, Long Beach--If history plays a part in this first-round game, Millikan would seem to have the advantage. The Rams have never lost a playoff opener in seven seasons under Coach Dan Peters.

The Moore League runners-up boast a balanced lineup headed by third baseman Scott Thielman (.423, 23 RBIs) and leadoff men Aaron Seja and Dante Powell, who have combined for 39 steals in 41 attempts. Left-hander Todd Taylor (5-2, 2.08 ERA) is expected to start, backed by right-hander David Mauss (8-3, 1.91 ERA), a Brigham Young recruit.

Palos Verdes, one of four teams that tied for the Bay League title, has two steady pitchers in sophomore left-hander Pat O’Hara (5-3, 2.60 ERA) and junior right-hander Steve Hoye (7-2, 1.69). Catcher Mike Hoye, Steve’s older brother, leads the Sea Kings with a .450 average.

North Torrance (16-9-1) vs. Newbury Park (18-4-3) at Moorpark College--North finished the season on fire, winning 10 straight Ocean League games and 16 of their last 20 overall. Newbury Park lost two of its last three Marmonte League games to blow the title to Simi Valley.

Newbury Park’s troubles followed the loss of ace pitcher Tim Beal, who was kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons. But the Panthers boast one of Ventura County’s most potent lineups. Outfielders Geoff Black (.457, six home runs) and Wayne Cook (.328, three homers) and catcher Danny Madsen (.384, six home runs) give the team firepower, and right-hander Jeremy Dewey (7-2, 2.63 ERA) is tough when he gets his curve ball over.

North relies on senior right-hander Scott Diekmann (6-4) and a balanced lineup headed by third baseman John Clem (30 RBIs), catcher Tony Pruett and outfielder Brian Dessert.

Redondo (15-12) at Riverside Poly (23-3)--Redondo’s playoff hopes hinge on the right arm of senior pitcher Mike Houck (8-1, 2.93 ERA), who will be asked to hold down explosive Riverside Poly.

The No. 2-seeded Bears are led by outfielder John Gumpf (.466, five home runs, 24 RBIs) and two outstanding pitchers. Right-handers Ben Blomdahl (8-1, 1.82 ERA) and Gary Adcock (10-2, 1.96) form an exceptional rotation.

Houck (.392) and second baseman Brian Davison (.391) are the top hitters for Redondo, the Ocean League’s third-place team.

Hawthorne (16-12) at Alemany (15-11)--Alemany captured the Del Rey League title but fared marginally against South Bay teams in the Palos Verdes/Redondo Tournament, losing to North Torrance, 5-2, and beating Westchester, 6-3.

That should come as encouraging news to Bay League quad-champion Hawthorne, which reached the 5-A playoffs Saturday with a 9-5 win over Santa Monica in a playoff for the No. 3 spot. The offensive-minded Cougars have three players hitting over .400: sophomore outfielder Armando Fernandez (.452, five home runs), first baseman Ted Golden (.433, four home runs, 30 RBIs) and shortstop Kenny Alexander (.420).

All nine Alemany starters are batting .300 or better, led by third baseman Jon Beauchemin (.338). Left-hander Joey Rosselli (5-1), who came back from an injury, is the top pitcher.

2-A DIVISION

Orange Lutheran (13-10-1) at Miraleste (18-8)--This has been regarded as a down year for Orange Lutheran, which is making its seventh playoff appearance in eight years. The third-place team from the Olympic League has not been consistent offensively and lacks experience, starting three freshmen. But the Lancers have a quality pitcher in Kent Dowding, who is 5-3 and batting .342.

Santa Fe League runner-up Miraleste won more games this year than in its two previous seasons combined. The Marauders count on junior right-hander Jason Mavar (8-3, 3.02 ERA), who has pitched well lately, and first baseman Chad Somers (.440, seven home runs, 34 RBIs). The winner meets No. 2-seeded El Segundo on Tuesday.

SMALL SCHOOLS DIVISION

Boron (11-9) at Chadwick (14-5)--The third-seeded Dolphins will send senior right-hander Greg O’Riordan (6-0, 1.30 ERA) to the mound against Boron, which reached the first round with a 13-2 wild-card victory over Hesperia Christian on Tuesday. Sophomore catcher Todd Seneker leads Chadwick with a .520 average (26 for 50) and 24 RBIs.

The Dolphins captured the Prep League title.