Thursday, March 22, 2007
GRANADA HILLS--Senior shortstop Mike Moustakas (third photo from top) hit two grand slams and a solo home run to lead a long-ball barrage by the Chancellors in a 22-0, five-inning West Valley League victory today.
The Chancellors (7-3, 2-0 in WVL play) got two home runs each from senior third baseman Matt Dominguez (secod photo from top) and senior right fielder Bobby Coyle (top photo) and one from senior outfielder Luis Ramirez (bottom photo) to complement a one-hit, five-strikeout performance by junior right-hander James Wharton (3-1).
The total number of runs was six shy of the school record for a game, but it is believed that the two grand slams by Moustakas are a single-game record as well as the eight home runs. It was the most runs scored by the Chancellors in a game since a 24-3 win at El Camino Real in 2004.
Chatsworth took a 2-0 lead with one out in the first inning when Dominguez homered to right-center field and Moustakas followed with a drive to left-center field.
Dominguez made it 3-0 with a homer to left field in the third inning, his third this season and 31st of his career.
In the fourth, singles by junior left fielder Matt Moreno, sophomore catcher Carlos Escobar Jr. and sophomore second baseman Kasey Toven got things rolling. After a fielder's choice that put runners at the corners, Dominguez was walked intentionally and Moustakas delivered his first slam, to center field.
The Chancellors batted around twice in the 14-run fifth inning. Senior catcher Ryan Merrill had a pinch-hit double to right-center field, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielder's choice by senior outfielder Jon Shields. Senior center fielder Nick Devian singled, Dominguez was hit by a pitch and Moustakas blasted a fastball deep over the right-center field fence for his second slam and ninth RBI of the game. It was his 10th homer this season and 38th of his career.
Coyle followed with a homer to right field and, two outs later, Escobar doubled to center field. Shields was hit by a pitch and Devian hit a two-run double. Dominguez hit a two-run single, Moustakas walked and Coyle homered to right field, his second of the inning and sixth this season. He has homered in four consecutive games.
Ramirez then hit a homer to left field, his first at the varsity level, to cap the scoring.
Escobar finished with three hits, including two doubles, and Wharton and junior designated hitter Josh Reece each had a hit.
The Chancellors continue play in the Chatsworth tournament when they play host to Santa Barbara on Saturday at 11 a.m.
JV: Junior left-hander Casey Fry threw a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts in a 4-0 victory at Chatsworth (8-1-1, 1-0-1).
Freshman first baseman Derek Neely had a double for the Chancellors, who'll face Westchester on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at San Fernando High.
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