Ocean View Captures Its First Sunset League Championship

Ocean View High School clinched the Sunset League championship Friday when the Seahawks beat Westminster, 6-3, at Ocean View.

The Seahawks, who had never before won a baseball title in their seven-year history, lost four of their first five league games but won 9 of their final 10 to finish first, one game ahead of Huntington Beach.

Brett Johnson, who usually works out of the bullpen, made only his second start of the year Friday and pitched a complete-game five-hitter. Johnson, a junior right-hander, struck out seven and walked only two in earning his third win in four decisions.

Ocean View took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Tom Smythe, who was 3 for 3 on the day, tripled and scored on an infield out, and Kelly Stovall drove in the second run of the inning with a single.

The Seahawks scored three more times in the third to make it 5-0. David Tinkle tripled in a run and then scored on a passed ball. Smythe capped the inning with a bases-empty home run.

Ron Weatrowksi, who had allowed only two earned runs in his previous 34 innings, went the distance and took the loss for the Lions.