Westlake Warriors stay in first place

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn COLLISION--Kyle Griffith of the Westlake Warriors runs into Chuckie Fick of Newbury Park while stealing second base during Friday's game at Newbury Park. Westlake is 14-6, 8-3 in league.

The Westlake baseball team defeated Newbury Park, 4-3, in a rain-shortened contest held in Newbury Park last Friday. The win kept the Warriors (14-6, 8-3) in first place in the Marmonte League and despite the loss the Panthers (10-13, 6-4) are still very much alive for the playoffs and even a league title.

Cody Cipriano, a senior who was the Westlake designated hitter, smacked a two-run home run in the top of the third inning, giving the Warriors a 2-0 lead. Kyle Brockett, a junior shortstop, hit another homer in the top of the fourth making it 3-0.

In the top of the fifth inning, Cipriano hit a one-out double and scored when the next batter, Luke Salas, a senior center fielder, singled. It was 4-0.

Newbury Park battled back, though, scoring three times in the bottom of the sixth inning. Joey Faruzzi, a senior center fielder, hit a home run to left-center field to leadoff the inning, then with two outs, senor shortstop Mason DeMatteo singled to start a rally.

Russell Light, a senior outfielder, blooped a single that got by Westlake leftfielder David Adler, a junior, and DeMatteo came all the way around to score. After a base hit by Panther junior first baseman Jon Alia, a balk scored Light who had advanced to third on Alia’s single.

After a rain delay, Steve Bravler, the Westlake first baseman, made a nice play on a ball hit by Panther sophomore right-hand pitcher Travis Scott, to end the inning with a runner left at second base.

For Westlake Michael Notaro, a junior right-hander (who bats left-handed) pitched four scoreless innings for the Warriors and was relieved by junior right-hander Garrett Cuneo, who got the save despite the shaky sixth inning. Scott pitched all six innings for Newbury Park. It was 4-3.

A run, scored on a base hit by senior Conrad Thieme, who was pinch hitting in the top of the seventh, didn’t count because the umpires called the game before that inning was complete.

"Our offensive approach has been real good," said Westlake head coach Josh Eby. "We’re putting pressure on the other team and guys keep stepping up. We’re coming together as a team, guys are focused on winning and caring about each other which is a really important thing at this point in the season."

Eby said the Warriors got clutch hitting and played well defensively. And they held down a potent Panther attack.

"Our pitchers threw strikes," Eby said. "Newbury Park is a really good offensive team. To hold them to three runs is something to be proud of."

Cuneo pitched despite an injured toe, having been spiked by a teammate the day before. He was limping noticeably. "He couldn’t even walk and he went out and pitched," Eby said.

And about Notaro, the Warrior coach said, "First game out all year, he clutches up, pitches three scoreless innings. We made good plays in the field and battled through the tough elements and I’m really proud of the way the guys played."

Eby said his players have come through consistently all season.

"When you’ve got a good league like ours and every game matters, it’s who’s going to step up, and today a couple of guys stepped up," Eby said. "It’s a new guy every day and that’s what’s great about our team right now."

Eby was the Westlake assistant coach under Chuck Berrington prior to this year. He said his first year as head coach has gone well.

"It’s been great," Eby said. "I have a great group of guys that really care about wanting to play well, but they do it with class and they do it with pride. It’s been a totally enjoyable experience."