Torrid Crossroads Awaits Tougher Competition:

With a 7-1 record to begin its baseball season, Crossroads has had quite a turnabout from two losing seasons.But co-coach Pat Armstrong is aware the schedule will bring on tougher competition, and it will come soon.”The next month will provide answers for us,” said Armstrong. “The record is great but we’ll see what obstacles come up in our league.”Some important dates on the Crossroads schedule are a game at Brentwood on April 16, a game at Delphic League favorite Windward on May 5, and a home night game against Windward on May 8 (Clover Park, 7 p.m.). For now, the Roadrunners have been impressive enough to be rated No. 10 in Division 6 of the CIF coaches’ poll.Crossroads defeated Sierra Canyon, 12-1 and Vistamar of El Segundo, 9-1 in its most recent games.”Caleb Hodge has been our most productive and consistent hitter,” said Armstrong. “Max Robinson has pitched 13 innings, struck out 12 batters and walked only three. Jake Berg-Rosenblatt had three hits in his last seven at-bats. Before that he was one-for-nine.”Hodge is batting .500 (six-for-12) and is tied for the team lead in RBI with five. He has also pitched eight innings without allowing an earned run.Robinson has been credited with two wins and has five hits in 12 at-bats with six runs scored.Sophomore Garrett Baer, brother of basketball star Megan Baer, has four hits in 16 at-bats and five RBI.Among the games Armstrong believes will be more challenging is a non-league home contest against Animo of Inglewood on April 15.