High Schools: May 2008 Archives

It's been a baseball season that has slowly built momentum, from the early rebuilding process, to the finding-themselves stage, to the late-season run to a league title, to finally a celebratory peak in the playoffs.

Chatsworth High and its ace pitcher Trevor Takeyama are again kings of City Section baseball after defeating Narbonne of Harbor City 7-2 in the City Championship on a warm Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

Takeyama (14-1), a right-hander with pin-point control and an impressive array of off-speed pitches, won his third consecutive playoff game, holding Narbonne to two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out seven.

"I feel great. We've come really far and grown tremendously to the point where we were really competitive today," Takeyama said. "This was just a good team effort. I could not have done it without my defense. They made a lot of great plays, not just today but all season."

Chatsworth (29-5) has won two City titles in a row and a City-record eight overall, including six over the past 10 years.

Narbonne (27-7) rallied to score a first-inning run, but the damage was minimalized by a couple of over-aggressive base-running mistakes, as Chatsworth shortstop Kasey Toven threw two runners out of the plate.

"In the past, Narbonne has always been aggressive on the base paths, so I thought those plays at the plate were a big part of the game," Toven said. "It gave our team momentum. I actually had a vision about this game, so I wasn't surprised.

And Trevor is one of the best pitchers in the City. He works as hard as anyone. I'm just on top of the world right now. I can't explain it. Nothing can replace this feeling."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Nick Russo pitched the final two innings in relief and hit a two-run double in top of the ninth Friday to help carry Simi Valley High to a 4-1 nine-inning victory over Long Beach Wilson in the Southern Section Div. I championship at Dodger Stadium.

"This is unbelievable, but I expected us to be here," Russo said.

Long Beach Wilson's star pitcher Aaron Hicks kept Simi Valley in check for most of the evening, limiting the Pioneers to two singles and an unearned run while striking out eight through eight-plus innings.

But when Hicks hit a batter and allowed a walk to begin the top of the ninth, he was replaced by Ray Hanson, and Simi Valley (25-8) rallied for three runs, breaking the tie when Brett Hale scored from third on a botched squeeze combined with a throwing error by catcher Tanner Perkins.

With a runner on first, Russo (9-2) got Perkins on a ground out to second to end the game.

Hicks was the one with all the credentials, a star pitcher who throws 97 mph and is a top Major League prospect.

But Simi Valley's unheralded right-hander Drew Sandler, better known for his catching and hitter, matched Hicks pitch for pitch for most of the night.

Through 7 ½ innings, the score was tied 1-1, with Hicks holding Simi Valley to two hits and an unearned run while striking out eight, and Sandler limiting Long Beach Wilson to one run on four hits while striking out two.

"I was just trying to throw hard and throw strikes," Sandler said. "This is a dream come true. We wanted this and we got it. We were destined to win. I don't know what else to say."

Sandler was clutch in the bottom of the seventh, when Long Beach Wilson (28-6-1) threatened but could not break the tie. Cody Harris led off with a single to left, stole second and moved to third on pinch-hitter Chris Hubbard's sacrifice. But Alec Rosales bouncer to second couldn't move the runner, then Sander stuck out Ryan Endres looking on a 2-2 fastball, as Simi Valley's erupted in jubilation.

"Drew is a great pitcher. We had faith in him," Russo said.

Simi Valley coach Matt La Belle was hoarse and emotional afterward.

"This team is unbelievable. They just have so much heart," La Belle said. "I don't know what else to say."

After sitting out last game because of a concussion, there was no way Trevor Gee was going to miss the Southern Section Div. III baseball championship.

"If I wouldn't have been cleared, I would have gone ballistic," Gee said.

At the last minute, it was decided Gee would play after a doctor gave him an OK, and Gee was keen to take advantage.

Down by two runs in the bottom of the sixth, Gee came through with the key hit, an RBI single combined with an outfield error that scored two runs and greased the way for Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks' 4-2 victory Thursday over South Hills of West Covina at Dodger Stadium.

Gee scored the go-ahead run on Nik Rodarte's sacrifice fly. He also played sparkling defense at third base with three assists and a putout, fielding Tyler Buffington's grounder and nailing him at first for the final out in the seventh that set off a mob celebration, as Notre Dame (27-4) won its first baseball title in the school's 60-year history.

"I'm speechless. I don't know what to say," Gee said. "I'm just very grateful. I definitely had some extra adrenaline pumping today."

Rodarte (11-1) pitched six-plus innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and four walks with one strikeout. He was no unhittable, but Rodarte was able to bare down when he had to, as South Hills (23-6) stranded 10 runners, six in scoring position.

"I've never felt better in my life," Rodarte said. "This has been a dream of mine ever since I put on a Notre Dame uniform."

It took a while for Notre Dame to come to life, but Rodarte did not panic, patiently awaiting a rally, as the Knights continued a season-long trend of coming from behind in the late innings.

"To tell you the truth, I never doubted us because we've been doing this all year," Rodarte said. "We've got a lot of clutch players. Trevor Gee is a real gamer. I knew he would come back today."

Notre Dame coach Tom Dill depended on Rodarte and Gee, his most experienced players, and they did not let him down.

"We got word late last night that Trevor was cleared, but I really wasn't sure about it until I hit some ground balls to him today and he seemed 100 percent," Dill said. "He might have wanted to play and his doctor might have wanted him to play, but not until we saw he was 100 percent.
"Obviously, it was great to have him back. He's a four-year all-league player, and he and Nik are the backbone of the team. It's been like that all year."

Through the years, Notre Dame has established itself as one of the San Fernando Valley's top sports schools, winning titles in football, boys' basketball and track, but never baseball until Thursday.

"Hey, you've got to get the first one some time," Dill said. "I like being here. This is my 17th year, and it's been worth it."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Notre Dame rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth, pulling ahead 3-2 over South Hills in the D3 championship at Dodger Stadium.

Two runs scored on RBI single by Trevor Gee -- who has returned after missing one game because of a concussion -- combined with a two-base outfield error when the Gee's bouncing liner wasn't fielded cleanly. Then Gee scored on Nik Rodarte's sac fly.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

It's the Southern Section Div. III championship game, and Notre Dame looks a bit flat, trailing 2-0 to South Hills here at Dodger Stadium in the top of the fifth.

South Hills scored a run in the first and second off Notre Dame ace Nik Rodarte (10-1), who has since settled down but continues to wait for a rally by the Knights.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

It's a dream come true for every high school baseball player to play in Dodger Stadium, but Simi Valley High isn't satisfied to just be one of the finalists in the Southern Section Div. I championship Friday at 7:30.

The Pioneers (24-8) have every intention and not just showing up but of defeating defending champion Long Beach Wilson and its superstar pitcher, Aaron Hicks, who throws 95 mph is an almost certain first-round Major League draft pick this coming Thursday.

"We're very excited about this game. I can't wait," said Simi Valley's Jonathan Meyer, who has nine home runs and 43 RBIs. "Hicks is pretty intimidating, but we just need everyone to keep a cool head and stay on his fastball, and hopefully see the ball better than normally."

In four playoff games, Long Beach Wilson (28-5-1) has not allowed more than three runs in a game, while Simi Valley has averaged more than 11 runs in the postseason.

Something has to give.

The tough part for Simi Valley will be contending with Hicks, who defeated Hart of Newhall, 4-2, in the quarterfinals, then earned the save Tuesday in a 5-3 semifinal victory over Norco. The 6-foot-1 right-hander is 8-1 with a 1.09 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 64 innings - an average of 11.4 per seven innings.

"I think we can do it. We just need to stay disciplined," Simi Valley's Nick Russo said. "Everyone on this team wants to win this game. We've grown up playing together together, and this would be a nice way to end."

Drew Sandler is scheduled to oppose Hicks. Russo and Meyer, two of Simi Valley's top pitchers, pitched Tuesday in a 6-5 11-inning victory over Mater Dei of Santa Ana, but they're available if needed.

The marathon, 3 ½ hour victory over Mater Dei has brought the team closer than ever, Russo said.

"A win like that just shows what happens when you've been playing together a long time like we have," Russo said.

Hicks, who has signed with USC, is also a top hitter and center fielder - he projects as an outfielder professionally - who is batting .489 with four home runs, 23 RBIs, 50 runs and 36 walks. He also has 37 stolen bases.

Long Beach Wilson's other top players include (.485, five home runs, 43 RBIs) and David Tarrazas (.370, 25 RBIs). The Bruins are 4-0 this season against local competition - all from Santa Clarita - with victories over Hart, Saugus (twice) and Valencia.

But playing in a place like Dodger Stadium can make all the difference in the world, and it can go both ways: add some adrenaline or perhaps heighten the nerves.

"I'm just pumped to play in Dodger Stadium," Russo said. "Everyone is excited. We can't wait to get out there."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Narbonne's coach Bill Dillon said before his team's City Section semifinal game against Cleveland that he was happy to have a home game.
Actually, he said he was pleasantly surprised that his team was at home and not on the road in the playoffs. Apparently that hasn't been the case in previous playoff years.
In one instance, having home-field advantage almost cost his team the game. In another, it helped his team win the game.
Cleveland's Jordan Liss hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to give his team a 4-2 lead. The ball was hit to centerfield and barely landed above a yellow line on the outfield fence designating a home run. The line was carved around the centerfield fence to make room for a scoreboard. It's about three feet shorter than the rest of the fence. If not for the scoreboarad, the ball probably would have bounced off the centerfield fence for a two-run or even one-run double.
In the bottom half of the fifth inning, Narbonne's Juan Avila hit a two-run home run aided by another home-field rule. An errant throw got caught in Cleveland's bullpen netting, allowing a run to score and the Narbonne hitter to end up at second base with two outs.
The netting is optional and Cleveland decided to put it up before the game started to protect its pitchers. Both coaches were warned about having the netting up before the game started and the consequences of having a ball get stuck in it.
Cleveland coach Greg Venger said he was more concerned about the ruling than about pitching to Avila, Narbonne's No. 3 hitter, with first base open. Afterward, Venger said he should have walked Avila. Instead, Avila hit the first pitch he saw over the left field fence to give his team a 5-4 lead.
Dillon said the scoreboard was installed in 2003 and the bullpen netting rule is explained before every game at Narbonne's home games.
"I'll still take this," Dillon said. "I prefer to play this game here instead of playing the game at Cleveland."
Narbonne lost its starting second baseman, Victor Arroyo, who was ejected in the second inning trying to score on a delayed double steal. He collided with Cleveland catcher Spencer Horowitz to end the inning. The home plate umpire signaled that Arroyo, a sophomore, had his hands and arms up when he made contact with Horowitz. The umpire immediately ejected Arroyo, and as a result he will have to sit out the City championship game against Chatsworth at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
"It would have been nice if he got a warning," Dillon said.
To be honest, Arroyo did not hit Horowitz that hard, and it looked like Arroyo was trying to protect himself from the collision more than trying to use his arms to knock the ball out of Horowitz's glove. It seems like a steep penalty for a kid who might never get another chance to play in Dodger Stadium.
Speaking of the City championship game, Dillon said he will start Chris Park, a senior right-hander who is 8-2, against Chatsworth.

A protest by Viewpoint coach Frank Pontello against Avalon has been upheld this morning by the Southern Section on grounds that Avalon's home field was not suitable for Tuesday's 8-7 victory by Avalon in the Southern Section Div. VII semifinal.

As a result, the semifinal is scheduled to be replayed Thursday at 2 p.m. at Long Beach Millikan High.

Pontello used a tape measure prior to the game and discovered the bases were 92 feet apart instead of the regulation 90 feet, and that the pitching rubber was 62 feet from home plate instead of the regulation 60 feet, six inches. Plus, the outfield fence, 248 feet from home plate all the way around, was so close that balls hit over the fence were ruled ground-rule doubles instead of home runs.

"You know, (upholding the protest) is the right thing to do, the fair thing to do under the circumstances," Pontello said. "It just was not a normal baseball game. (The dimensions) were a factor, all the distances. It changed the game.

Avalon athletic director Patti Engel is satisfied with the Southern Section's decision because Avalon could have been forced to forfeit the game.

"The kids know, and it's very frustrating, but we're grateful to the CIF for allowing us to replay the game," Engel said.

Engel said a groundskeeper made a mistake in assembling the field -- on a converted softball field at a park adjacent to the school -- after Avalon's usual home field.was damaged in a fire.

"We actually tried to make the corrections right before the game but the umpires called their association and said we couldn't do that," Engel said.

Avalon coach Richard Hernandez was not available for comment.

"I don't think (Hernandez) was aware of it until we pulled out the tape measure and actually measured it," Pontello said. "He was like, 'What the heck?' He was really taken aback."

Both teams hit three ground-rule doubles, and Pontello said one by Viewpoint's Michael Cameron would have been a home run on most fields.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Notre Dame will be without the services of standout third baseman Trevor Gee on Tuesday for the Southern Section Div. III semifinals at Quartz Hill.

Gee was hospitalized after suffering a concussion Friday when he collided with a Paloma Valley player while Gee stole a base in a 9-3 victory in the quarterfinals.

The winner advances to the championship game Thursday at Dodger Stadium, but Gee is not expected to return. The Loyola Marymount signee is batting .301 with two home runs and 20 RBIs.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Southern Section quarterfinals
All games 3:15 p.m. today

DIV. I

Long Beach Wilson (26-5-1) at Hart (23-6): A showdown between two of the nation's top pitchers, Hart's Michael Montgomery vs. Long Beach Wilson's Aaron Hicks.

Valencia (22-7) at Simi Valley (22-8): Both feature top shortstops in Valencia's Christian Lopes and Simi Valley's Jonathan Meyer.

Div. III

Paloma Valley (23-3) at Notre Dame (24-4): Notre Dame, led by P/1B Nick Rodarte and 3B Trevor Gee, has won 13 of last 15; Paloma Valley has won 15 in row.

California (19-11) at Quartz Hill (22-5-2): Quartz Hill, led by sluggers Shon Roe, Mick Gaston and Travis McBride, has won 15 in row.

Div. V
Hesperia (19-8) at Paraclete (16-10): Line in the sand will be drawn in battle of the desert.

Div. VII
Cornerstone Christian (15-7) at Viewpoint (16-8): Defending section runner-up Viewpoint looking to return to final.

CITY SECTION
All games 3 p.m. today

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Palisades (20-11) at Chatsworth (26-5): Chatsworth coming off close-call 1-0 victory in first round.

San Pedro (14-15) at Kennedy (21-10-1): Kennedy, known to peak in playoffs, has won 11 of past 12.

Cleveland (24-7) vs. Roosevelt (32-5-1) at East L.A. College: Roosevelt ace Martin Villanueva pitched just three innings Wednesday and could start again.

El Camino Real (19-13) at Narbonne (25-6): ECR's Mitch Bluman hit three HRs in first-round victory.


INVITATIONAL

Granada Hills (10-21) at Los Angeles (20-6): Granada Hills' first-round playoff win broke four-game losing streak.

Crenshaw (17-8) at Birmingham (10-16): Crenshaw has won 10 in a row.

-- Gerry Gittelson

VALENCIA - Robbie Mousselli, the Foothill League's returning player of the year, has labored through such a pitching slump over the past month that he was nearly pulled from the rotation.

The senior right-hander from Valencia High implored coach Jared Snyder for one more chance Tuesday in a Southern Section Div. I second-round playoff game against visiting Lakewood.

"Coach asked me if I wanted it or should he pitch Josh Corralles again. I said, 'No way, I want it more than anything," Mousselli said.

So it was with renewed focus and determination that Mousselli took the mound with the season on the line, and he came through in a big way, holding Lakewood (21-12) to two singles and striking out nine in a complete-game 4-0 victory to propel Valencia (22-7) into the semifinals Friday at Simi Valley.

"It's true. We did ask Robbie if it might be better if Josh pitches again, but he told me he could do it," Snyder said. "This was the most mentally prepared I think he's ever been. We just had to give him the rock because when he said he could do it, I believed him."
Mousselli (6-2) also delivered a bouncing two-run double down the left-field line in the bottom of the sixth to break a scoreless tie, as Lakewood third baseman Brandon Gillilan unconventionally failed to cover the corner.

Like a lot of Lakewood's supporters, including coach Spud O'Neil, who would argue the call with the umpire, Gillilan thought Mousselli's hit was foul.

"It looked foul to me ... and the coach wanted me to play off the line for a double play and not for the dead pull," Gillilan said. "I think we could have won this game."
What did Mousselli think?

"No comment," he said with a smile.

Snyder conceded he would have had his third baseman play closer to the line in that situation - "no doubt about it," he said -- but he also believed the call was correct.

"It looked fair," Snyder said. "In a close game, there is always going to be some controversy like that."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

What terrible luck local local teams endured Saturday during coin flips in Los Alamitos to decide the home teams for the second round of the Southern Section playoffs.

Seven of the area's eight surviving teams needed to flip because their opponent in the second round had the same amount of home playoff games -- for years, that's the way the Southern Section has done it -- and here's how it went down:

In Div I, Simi Valley lost the flip, Hart lost the flip and Thousand Oaks lost the flip -- all must play at distant locations in the second round -- while, voila, Valencia won the flip to play host to Lakewood.

In Div. II, Crescenta Valley lost the flip.

In Div. III, Notre Dame lost the flip, and Crespi lost the flip.

For those scoring at home, the locals were combined 1-6 on coin flips. Certainly nothing to flip out about, that's for sure.

Oh well, the good news is some should have automatic home games in the quarterfinals -- if they survive.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

The Southern Section playoff pairings are scheduled to be released today around noon, and it will be interesting to see where Crespi will be ranked in D3. The Celts were eighth in the latest official Southern Section poll -- way too low considering their more respectful treatment by maxpreps, Cal-Hi Sports, the Daily News and the L.A. Times -- but that was before Crespi twice defeated top-ranked Notre Dame on Tuesday and Thursday to clinch the Mission League title.

If Crespi is ranked anywhere lower than No. 2, the whole thing is silly. We shall see. Call me a homer, but Notre Dame probably should be a top-four seed, too, especially if Crespi had been ranked higher as it should have been. (I checked with the CIF, and second-place teams can be seeded as high as No. 2. overall.)

Also, in DI, it will be interesting to see how much weight the Foothill League title carries for Hart, which probably deserves a top-four seed even though the Indians are No. 6 in the most recent poll. And Marmonte League co-champs Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks deserve a proper seed, too.

Meantime, the City Section still has business to take care of with the regular season scheduled to finish Wednesday.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

With the Mission League baseball title on the line in extra innings in front of an overflow crowd of about 700, Crespi High of Encino's Zack Wiley swears there were no jitters as he stepped to bat with a chance to knock in the winning run.

"I don't get nervous. I was actually pumped," Wiley said. "I was pretty calm and was actually laughing because we were joking around."

What's to be nervous about, anyway? Wiley pulled a curveball from David Armendariz into left field for a clean single, and Jeremy Rodriguez raced home from second for the winning run in a 6-5 eight-inning victory over arch-rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks at L.A. Valley College.

The win, Crespi's eighth in a row, propelled the defending league-champion Celts (22-5, 11-1) to their third league title over the past five years.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

After coming from 10 runs down Friday to defeat Rio Hondo Prep 15-13, then coming back from a six-run deficit Tuesday in a 7-6 victory over Providence, defending Div. VII finalist Viewpoint has clinched its third consecutive Liberty League title.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

DAILY NEWS TOP 10
1. Crespi (22-5)
2. Notre Dame (23-2)
3. Hart (19-6)
4. Chatsworth (22-5)
5. Thousand Oaks (18-9)
6. Valencia (19-6)
7. Simi Valley (19-8)
8. Saugus (15-8)
9. Quartz Hill (17-5-2)
10. Camarillo (18-6)
OTHERS: Royal (18-8); Cleveland (21-6-1); C. Valley (16-5); Palmdale (15-10); Loyola (16-12); N. Park (16-12); Westlake (14-12); Moorpark (17-10).

Good start for Crespi. The Celts scored two runs in the top of the first off Notre Dame ace Nik Rodarte, cashing in on RBI singles by Jeremy Rodriguez and Zack Wiley.

Rodarte (8-0) has won 11 in a row since his junior year, and his last loss happened to be a 5-3 defeat to Crespi on May 1, 2007.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Here's the moment we've been waiting for: Notre Dame vs. Crespi, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 by the Daily News, begin a two-game series to finish the Mission League season beginning tonight at 7 at Birmingham in Lake Balboa.

It will be Crespi right-hander Tyler Johnson (8-0), who is 18-0 all-time, vs. Notre Dame left-hander Nik Rodarte (8-0), as Crespi must win both games to steal the league title away from the Knights, who are undefeated in league competition.

Already a good amount of folks here getting ready for this one. Should be a good one.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Tony Goebel is the latest Crespi player to commit to four-year school, as the designated hitter is headed to San Francisco State. Goebel is batting .293 as the team's starting designated hitter.

"We lived in San Francisco for seven years, so it feels like home to him," said his father, Larry Crino.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Mike Moustakas, who set California's all-time career home run record at Chatsworth before joining the Royals organization last year as the No. 2 pick overall, is on a hot streak after a slow start.

The bonus baby has two home runs over his past three games at single-A Burlington (Iowa) and has raised his average to .210 with three home runs and seven RBIs (five over past six games) in 100 at-bats.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

In what's proved an otherwise forgettable season, last-place Agoura can play spoiler Wednesday against Simi Valley (19-8, 10-3) in the Marmonte League finale.

Agoura is just 9-18, 2-11 but has won four of its past five including its only two league victories -- a streak that has come just a bit too late to qualify for the Southern Section playoffs as one of the league's top four teams.

But the Chargers can really do a number on Simi Valley, which is tied for first with Thousand Oaks (18-9, 10-3). Both have to win the finale, as Thousand Oaks plays at fourth-place Moorpark (17-10, 6-7), which is fighting for a playoff spot of its own.

Should be compelling, and that's for sure.

DAILY NEWS TOP 10
1. Notre Dame (21-2)
2. Crespi (18-5)
3. Hart (18-6)
4. Chatsworth (20-5)
5. Thousand Oaks (17-9)
6. Valencia (17-6)
7. Simi Valley (18-7)
8. Saugus (15-8)
9. Royal (18-7)
10. Cleveland (20-6-1)

OTHERS: Crescenta Valley (14-5); Palmdale (14-10); Loyola (14-12); El Camino Real (16-10-1); Camarillo (17-6); Quartz Hill (17-5-2); Westlake (13-11); Moorpark (16-9).

Just got off the phone with Ed McSweeney, father of Crespi submarine pitcher E.C. McSweeney, and he has confirmed that E.C. has committed to a UC Irvine baseball scholarship -- the 12th (no misprint) Crespi on this year's team to commit to a four-year college.

"I'm excited and pleased," Ed said. "It's a great school academically, and the baseball team is ranked No. 7 in the nation, so it's the best of both worlds."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com