Posted on Thu, Apr. 13, 2006

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Tigers find success in defense's hands

Starting pitcher Kevin Shields says San Luis Obispo's strong defensive play and a teammate's Icy Hot massages are the reason why he';s 5-0

By Joshua D. Scroggin

jscroggin@thetribunenews.com

Tribune photo by Aaron Lambert

San Luis Obispo High's Kevin Shields, who pitched a complete game, hurls a pitch at a Righetti batter during the top of the seventh inning.

Kevin Shields gives much of the credit for his 5-0 record and 1.96 ERA to his personal "mentor/masseuse"

Andrew Mazzone.

Shields, who pitched a complete game and earned the win in the San Luis Obispo High baseball team's 9-1 victory over Righetti on Wednesday, cited Tigers reliever Mazzone as the main reason he's having success this season.

Not only is Mazzone's positive attitude a delight to be around, Shields said, but Mazzone's between-inning Icy Hot massages keep Shields' arm feeling fresh.

"His dad's a doctor, and he just really knows how to work the deep tissue," Shields said.

But Wednesday at SLO

Stadium, the defense playing behind Shields was just as important as Mazzone's magic fingers coupled with the popular dual action topical pain reliever.

The Tigers (12-1 overall, 8-0 PAC 5) turned three inning-ending double plays and committed no errors behind left-hander Shields, who struck out one and walked none but gave up nine hits.

The Warriors (4-12-1, 2-8-1) on the other hand, committed three errors, two of which played roles in each of San Luis Obispo's big rallies.

"We had our chances," said Righetti skipper Brian Tomooka, a former Tigers coach. "They just turned three double plays. Those are things that just change the momentum."

San Luis Obispo first gained the momentum on Warriors mistakes in the first inning.

Righetti starter Trevor

Elswick walked the first run in with the bases loaded. Then Shields earned an RBI by hitting into a fielder's choice. An errant throw as the Warriors tried to double up Shields at first allowed Greg O'Keeffe to score from second, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

Jack Regier led San Luis Obispo at the plate, going 2 for 2 and doubling his stolen base total to four with two swipes Wednesday. Devin Lohman was 3 for 4 for Righetti and Brandon Creath was 2 for 3.

Scoring remained stagnant until the bottom of the fifth inning, when walks by Warriors pitchers resulted in more runs. Righetti walked four in the inning and hit one batter during a six-run rally by the Tigers.

Half of San Luis Obispo's runs in the fifth came on walks and a hit batsman. Two came from a single by Shields, who was 1 for 3 with three RBI. Mike Cochran also had an RBI single in the fifth.

Shields, meanwhile, was pitching with confidence.

"Kevin was throwing strikes," Tigers coach Vic Ecklund said. "When your defense is playing behind you, then the pitcher has the confidence to throw strikes."

The confidence level has reason to be high for San Luis Obispo, which has won six straight since its last loss March 25. The Tigers have already equaled their PAC 5 win total from a season ago when they finished 8-7-1 and placed third.

And Shields did credit the defense for that.

"That's the biggest difference between this year and last year," he said. "We don't make any errors."