Panthers roll over Tigers

It appears the strategy paid off — for one game at least. The Panthers rapped out 11 hits in a 10-0 win over Terra Nova Wednesday at Washington Park.

"We've averaged four runs and six or seven hits a game, but who're we facing? Some tough teams," said Burlingame manager Rich Sciutto. Burlingame's pre-season schedule included games against four West Catholic Athletic League teams and CCS finalist Santa Cruz.

After facing that kind of firepower, Burlingame (1-0 Bay Division, 5-5 overall) was not intimidated by Terra Nova starting pitcher Bryan Powers. The Panthers' onslaught began early as they scored all 10 of their runs in the first three innings. After scoring one in the first, they added three in the second and six more in third.

The Panthers batted around in both the second and third innings. The big hits in the second were run-scoring doubles from Tom Becerra and Drew Shiller while Butterfield and Jon McDonnell each drove in two runs in the third.

"Everything was running on full throttle," said Burlingame shortstop Logan Freethy, who finished the game 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. "Even though we lost more games than we would have liked, it really prepared us for league. Nothing seemed to go wrong with this game."

Freethy, the Panthers' No. 2 hitter, teamed with leadoff hitter Shiller and No. 3 Mike Butterfield to pound Terra Nova (1-1, 6-5) into submission. The top three batters were a combined 5 for 8 with five walks, four RBIs and four runs scored.

Shiller has been especially impressive since joining the team after the Panthers' long basketball season. In three games thus far, Shiller has gone 3 for 7 at the plate with six runs scored and three RBIs.

"I know he was doing some throwing, some hitting (during basketball season)," Sciutto said. "He knew he had to come in prepared (to play baseball) earlier this year."

The bottom of the lineup wasn't too shabby either on Wednesday. The No. 7 through 9 batters — Andrew Ticzon, Tom Becerra and Danny March — added four more runs and reached base five times in myriad ways, which Sciutto saw as key.

"You like to set it up when you have your seven, eight guys turn [the batting order] around (to the top of the order)," Sciutto said. "That's the important thing."

Equally important was the pitching performance of March. He threw five innings of five-hit ball, striking out two while tossing only 66 pitches. He threw first-pitch strikes to nine of 18 batters and set Terra Nova down in order in the third and fourth innings.

"[March] was very impressive," Freethy said. "Starting with first-pitch strikes, getting his curveball over. We're so deep at a lot of positions and they get the job done."

Ever the coach, Sciutto said there were things March still needs to work on.

"I think he can tighten it up," Sciutto said. "I think he can get ahead of the count a little more."

While March may not be a household name like Burlingame pitcher Eric Fregosi or Shiller, Sciutto believes March can be just as good.

"We didn't pitch Danny just to get through this game," Sciutto said. "We feel Danny is a starter."