Surging Chatsworth seizes control of West Valley League race

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For those of you wondering where The Times has Chatsworth ranked in its weekly top 25 baseball poll, let me save you some trouble. I know it seems hard to believe, but you won’t find the Chancellors on this week’s list (trust me, I checked it twice).

Where you will find Chatsworth is alone at the top the West Valley League standings after 5-2 and 8-6 victories over Cleveland. The teams started the week tied for first place at 5-1 (each having lost once to Taft), but now the Chancellors are in the driver’s seat with seven league games left.

Counting a 7-1 loss in the Easton tournament the Cavaliers, ranked No. 25 by The Times, are winless in three tries against their league rivals this season. They meet for the final time May 9 at Chatsworth.

Sure, gone are standouts Mike Moustakas and Matt Dominguez, but this year’s Chancellors have some pop too, as demonstrated Friday when Carlos Escobar Jr. (pictured) hit a grand slam and Andy Weissberg added a three-run homer.

Chatsworth is looking more and more like the league and City champion it is - -and more like a team that belongs back in The Times’ rankings.

-- Steve Galluzzo

-- Image: http://chatsworthhs.org