By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

When people think of San Gabriel Valley (area) baseball powers, names like South Hills, Arcadia, Bishop Amat, San Dimas, Glendora and others come to mind.

But over the past two years, only CIF champions Maranatha and Pasadena Poly have more wins or a better winning percentage in the postseason than Northview.

When the Vikings take the field Friday to battle Great Oak in the CIF-SS Division 3 quarterfinals, they will have already outlasted every program we mentioned above, including San Dimas, who finished three games ahead of second-place Northview in the Valle Vista League standings.

If you had to narrow it to one reason why Northview is still standing, it isn’t so much about their offensive success.

In fact, only three Vikings currently sit above the .300 mark, and they average 3.5 runs per game throughout the 2019 season.

The Northview pitching staff has been their savior, boasting just a 1.89 team ERA.

Through 155 1/3 innings, their pitchers have surrendered just 42 earned runs.

Of the five Northview pitchers that have gone 15 or more innings, all have a less than 3.00 ERA.

But no one has been more money or clutch on the mound as has senior Ryan Humphreys.

Humphreys win-loss record doesn’t do him justice, because they’ve lost games he pitched well enough to win, but didn’t get him the run support.

In all, Humphreys is 7-4, with a 1.61 ERA. His 76 strikeouts are double the next closest Vikings’ pitcher this year.

Most importantly, he’s been the starter and winner in both postseason games this year.

Humphreys went all seven last week at Oxnard in a 3-1 victory.

He allowed five hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out 10.

On Tuesday, Humphreys went the first six innings in the 1-0 victory over visiting Riverside Poly.

On Tuesday, Humphreys went the first six innings in the 1-0 victory over visiting Riverside Poly.

His five walks had to be frustrating for all involved in the scoreless game, but he and James Jimenez combined to shut out Poly.

Offensively, his bat has, at times, been just as impressive.

For the season, Humphreys is batting .340, with 17 hits and his 15 runs, 12 RBIs, .553 slugging percentage and OPS (1.005) are all team highs.

Humphreys has also hit a home run and picked up a win on the same day twice.

Believe it or not, it took him until his senior year to start every day, and he said it took a lot of hard work over the summer to earn that success.

Humphreys is incredibly thankful to his parents, Teresa and Matthew for all their love and support, and he’ll attend Westmont College next season.

Matt Diaz has been Northview’s best offensive player all season.

And it’s not even close.

The senior’s .471 average is 138 points higher than the next closest starter.

James Jimenez is second, with a .333 average.

That .471 average was tops for all Valle Vista League players as well.

Diaz has also collected 32 base hits.

The next closest is Andrew Duran (18), who is 14 hits back of Diaz.

Diaz has scored seven runs and has driven in eight.

He has also has a pair of doubles.

And he’s also clutch.

Diaz went 2 for 2 and drove in the game’s lone run in the victory over Riverside Poly on Tuesday.

His .500 on-base percentage leads the Vikings, and he’s second to Humphreys in both slugging percentage (500) and OPS (1.000)

Diaz is another guy who hasn’t gotten a lot of run support when he’s pitched.

His record is just 1-3.

But he’s got an ERA of 1.63 over his 30 innings of work for coach Dan Roddy.

Diaz has struck out 38 batters, which puts him second among the six-person staff.

Diaz hasn’t committed anywhere yet, but he’s excited to continue his career at the collegiate level.

His mom, Roxanne, is everything in his world.

Roxanne’s love, support, work ethic and sacrifices do not go unnoticed by her son.

And while Humphreys and Diaz have played enormous roles, there are many who have contributed to Northview’s success.

Both Humphreys and Diaz as well as Coach Roddy pointed out how important Andrew Duran has been.

Duran (1-2, 2.85 ERA, 34 strikeouts in 27 innings) will get the start on Friday.

Duran is batting .243, with 18 hits, 13 runs scored and 10 RBIs.

Offensively, James Jimenez (.333 average, 17 hits, 11 runs, 10 RBIs), Kobe Sanchez (.254, 15 hits, nine runs) and Josh Logan (.235, 12 hits, five runs, 10 RBIs) have all done their part.

If Northview wins on Friday, they would face the Serra-Yorba Linda winner in the semifinal round next Tuesday.

Quotable:

Northview coach Dan Roddy: “Matt Diaz came to us as a transfer and has fit in perfectly. He pitched some great games for us and lead our team in hitting and he earned first-team all-Valle Vista League honors. Ryan Humphreys is a 4-year letterman, who has found his groove on the mound. He is our “go-to guy” and also proved he can hit with a .340 average and three home runs. His performance earned him first-team all-Valle Vista League honors and a commitment to play on at Westmont College. What I respect most out of these 2 along with Andrew Duran is their ‘Love of the Game,’ and their drive to excel in all aspects of their lives.”

Northview senior Ryan Humphreys: “I always go into each start with the goal being to pitch a shutout. Even though we don’t always put up a lot of runs, I feel like we’re really good at competing and raising our game when the situation calls for it. We also do the little things it takes to win games. All of our runs in the playoffs have been set up by sacrifice bunts. What I like and respect about Matt is that is that he’s a really good person and friend. He is also the leading hitter in our league and he comes up clutch all the time. We could on his bat a lot and he doesn’t let us down.”

Northview senior Matt Diaz:

“I came over to Northview and I really appreciate the brotherhood we have here. They made me feel at home on day one and it’s been fun being part of this team. I think we are a better offensive team than numbers might show, because a lot of times when we hit the ball hard, it’s right at people. In terms of me, I am seeing the ball well and I’ve had success, but I believe in my teammates and know they can get the job done as well. When I’m on the mound, I just do my best to throw strikes and keep the game close. What I appreciate about Ryan is that he’s a bulldog on the mound and he will never stop competing at the plate or on the mound.”

Getting to know Matt Diaz:

Favorite sports team: Dodgers

Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant

Favorite movie: Fast and Furious

Favorite musical artist: J. Cole

Musical artist some might be surprised I like: Survivor

Someone Famous (alive or dead) I’d most want a conversation with: Kobe Bryant

Getting to know Ryan Humphreys:

Favorite sports team: Dodgers & Angels

Favorite athlete: Ken Griffey Jr

Favorite movie: The Wolf of Wall Street

Favorite musical artist: Jason Aldean

Musical artist some might be surprised I like: Billie Eillish

Someone Famous (alive or dead) I’d most want a conversation with: Nolan Ryan

SGV Area Baseball Postseason Records in 2018 & 2019:

Pasadena Poly (7-0), 2018 D-6 champs

Maranatha (6-1), 2018 D-3 champs

Northview (4-1)

La Salle (4-2)

Muir (4-2)

Bishop Anat (4-2)

Glendora (2-2)

Arcadia (2-2)

South Hills (1-2)

Bonita (0-1)

2019 Valle Vista League Standings:

San Dimas (23-5, 10-0)

Northview (16-10, 7-3)

Covina (13-12, 6-4)

Wilson (11-8-1, 3-7)

Rowland (14-9, 3-7)

Baldwin Park (7-11-1, 1-9)

2019 Postseason:

May 2: Northview 3, Oxnard 1

May 7: Northview 1, Riverside Poly 0

Friday’s CIF-SS Division 3 Quarterfinal Schedule:
Great Oak at Northview
Serra at Yorba Linda
Ocean View at La Canada
Torrance at Oak Hills