Oilers Will Challenge League-Leading Canyons Today

Half a game out of first place and on a 10-game winning streak, the West Los Angeles College baseball team will play Mountain Valley Conference leader College of the Canyons today at 2 p.m. at Canyons.

The Oilers will host Los Angeles Mission on Saturday at noon and play a non-league game against Allan Hancock on Monday at 2 p.m. at Santa Maria.

Coach Art Harris said that though the Oilers defeated Canyons, 3-0, last week he expects a tough game.

He said Canyons has outstanding players in Frank Halcovich, a combination pitcher, shortstop and designated hitter, and third baseman Bill Bluhm, who has hit 12 home runs this year.

The Oilers, with a 6-3 conference record, are 20-6 overall. Canyons is 6-2-1 in league play.

Right-hander Lee Carballo (6-1, 2.82 earned-run average), who won the most valuable pitcher award in the recent West Los Angeles College Tournament, should start against Canyons.

“Carballo has been our ‘Steady Eddie,’ ” Harris said. “He throws a lot of strikes and gets a lot of ground balls. He doesn’t show any sign of wear when the competition gets tough.”

Designated hitter Joey Brehm (.396 batting average, 17 runs batted in) is leading the Oilers with five home runs and won the WLAC tournament most valuable player award.

The Oilers are getting more power hitting from DeJon Watson (.367, 12 RBIs) and Victor Hithe (.315, 21 RBIs).

Last week WLAC continued its winning streak with a victory over Los Angeles Valley, 9-5.