Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Senior shortstop Mike Moustakas set a state career record with his 48th home run, a two-run line-drive shot over the right-field fence in a six-run first inning, and the Chancellors defeated El Camino Real, 7-1, today to clinch outright their fifth consecutive West Valley League title.
It is the 26th WVL title for the Chancellors (24-4, 13-0) and 15th under Coach Tom Meusborn, who is in his 18th season with the program.
Moustakas has 20 homers, one shy of the state single-season record. Junior first baseman James Wharton hit his third, a high drive to left field in the first inning, and senior third baseman Matt Dominguez hit his 10th this season and 38th of his career, a solo liner to left field in the second inning.
The three home runs extended the Chancellors school-record total to 61, the fourth highest in state history. The state record of 75 is shared by Chula Vista Eastlake in 1999 (30 games) and San Diego Rancho Bernardo in 2000 (33 games). The previous Chatsworth record was 49, in 2004. The Chancellors are averaging 2.17 homers per game and, if they are able to extend their season to 34 games by playing in the City Section title game, they would finish with 74 home runs at that pace.
Senior right-hander Trent Jones went the distance to improve to 12-0 this season and 22-1 in his two-year varsity career, tying him for fifth place on the Chatsworth all-time list for victories. He gave up four hits and struck out three.
Chatsworth put the game away in the first inning when senior center fielder Nick Devian led off with a single and Moustakas homered with one out. Senior right fielder Bobby Coyle followed with a double and junior left fielder Matt Moreno walked before sophomore designated hitter Andy Weissberg hit a two-run double for a 4-0 lead. Wharton followed with a two-run homer. Sophomore second baseman Kasey Toven then doubled but did not score.
Dominguez led off the second inning with a homer and Moustakas tripled to the right-field corner but was stranded at third base. Devian, Dominguez and Moustakas each finished with two hits.
JV: Sophomore right-hander Andrew Klausmeier gave up two hits and struck out nine, and the Chancellors (18-4-1, 9-3-1) beat host El Camino Real, 4-0.
Sophomore center fielder Freddy Ramirez and freshman first baseman Derek Neely each had two-run singles, and freshman catcher Sean O'Connell had three hits.
Top photo: Mike Moustakas heads home in the first inning after hitting his state record-setting 48th career home run.
Bottom photo: Matt Dominguez rounds the bases in the second inning after hitting his 10th home run of the season.
Prints can be purchased through the website