WOODLAND HILLS -- Five players hit home runs to lead a 22-hit attack and the Chancellors defeated host El Camino Real, 18-9, today to clinch their sixth consecutive West Valley League title.

 

The Chancellors (22-5 overall, 11-1 in WVL play) lead second-place Cleveland (8-4) by three games with three game to play. Chatsworth has defeated the Cavaliers twice with one game to play between the teams and would be the No. 1 representative from the league for the playoffs in case of a tie.

 

Junior third baseman Ryan Cooperstone, junior catcher Carlos Escobar Jr., sophomore designated hitter Derek Neely, junior right fielder Andy Weissberg and senior pitcher James Wharton each homered for the Chancellors.

 

Cooperstone and Escobar each hit three-run shots, Weissberg hit a two-run drive and Neely and Wharton each hit solo homers. Cooperstone and Weissberg also doubled, as did senior second baseman Matt Moreno, junior shortstop Kasey Toven and junior left fielder Andrew Klausmeier.

 

Neely, Toven, Weissberg and Cooperstone each finished with three hits. Wharton picked up the win in relief.

 

JV: The host Chancellors beat El Camino Real, 6-3, in a WVL game.

 

Sophomore catcher Sean O'Connell hit a leadoff home run for the Chancellors and sophomore outfielder Angel Calderon had a two-run single. Freshman first baseman Steven Karkenny had two hits.

 

Freshman left-hander David Lira picked up the victory and junior left-hander Jerry Lobert earned a save.

 

 

Photos by Dave Siegel