Friday, May 25, 2007
Senior right-hander Trent Jones went the distance, senior outfielder Bobby Coyle hit a three-run home run in the first inning and the top-seeded Chancellors defeated No. 9 El Camino Real, 8-1, today in a quarterfinal game of the Los Angeles City Section Championship playoffs at Chatsworth.
The Chancellors (28-4) also go a home run each from senior center fielder Nick Devian and senior third baseman Matt Dominguez during a 14-hit attack to back up a four-hitter by Jones (14-0), who struck out 12 and moved into a three-way tie for second place on the Chatsworth list for most victories in a season. The right-hander needs one victory to tie Justin Cassel (2003) for most wins in a season by a Chancellor pitcher.
It was the 15th consecutive victory for the Chancellors, who will play host to No. 4 Palisades in a semifinal game Wednesday at 3 p.m. Palisades advanced with a 9-8 victory over No. 5 Roosevelt. It is the seventh season in a row in which the Chancellors, who are seeking a fifth consecutive appearance in a City final, will play in a semifinal game.
The Chancellors jumped on the Conquistadores (18-14), their West Valley League rivals, with three runs in the first inning. Devian and senior shortstop Mike Moustakas singled and Coyle belted a pitch over the right field fence for his 14th home run this season and 22nd of his career, fourth best on the school all-time list.
In a three-run second inning, Devian drove a pitch over the left-field net and onto the street for his eighth home run this season, Dominguez followed with a shot over the center field fence for his 13th this season and 41st of his career. Chatsworth has 74 home runs, one shy of the state single-season record, and has at least one home run in all but seven games this year.
El Camino Real's run came in the third inning on a home run by Todd Eskelin, the first homer surrendered by Jones this season.
The Chancellors collected five doubles — two by sophomore designted hitter Andy Weissberg and one each by sophomore catcher Carlos Escobar Jr., junior first baseman James Wharton and Dominguez.
In other quarterfinal results, schedule: at No. 6 Cleveland 9, No. 14 Bell 2; at No. 2 Kennedy 6, No. 7 San Fernando 4. Cleveland plays at Kennedy on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in a semifinal game.
Photos, from top to bottom:
Bobby Coyle's first-inning homer put the Chancellors ahead, 3-0.
Nick Devian hit a pitch onto the street behind the left-field fence.
Matt Dominguez followed Devian's homer with one to center field.
Trent Jones struck out 12 batters and improved to 14-0.
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