Willis Pitches Camarillo Past Westlake, 8-2

Travis Willis threw a five-hitter to lead Camarillo High to an 8-2 victory Friday at home over Westlake.

“The big thing with this team is Travis Willis,” said Camarillo Coach Ken Wagner said. “He, by far, is the best pitcher in the area. He’s matured a lot since last year.”

In the Marmonte League opener for both teams, Willis was matched against Steve Zeiss. Brad Gossen had been scheduled to start for Westlake, but complained of soreness in his throwing arm.

Although Zeiss, a senior left-hander, had struck out 13 in eight innings before Friday, he lasted for only three batters. After left fielder Jason McCarthy doubled and Bill Saylor and Ken Sirak both walked, Westlake Coach Dennis Judd replaced Zeiss with Gregg Struhl.

Third baseman Chris Lillich promptly singled home McCarthy. Kevin Ochs then hit a sacrifice fly, Sirak scored on a double steal and Mike Henry singled in a run.

“We were ready to play today but Brad told me his arm was sore,” Judd said. “He has an ERA of 0.64 but he couldn’t go, so we went with Zeiss. He didn’t have his stuff together and it showed. I was really pleased with Struhl’s performance, though.”

Struhl, a junior, went the rest of the way, allowing nine hits. But he wasn’t able to shut down the Scorpions. In the second, Sirak and Ochs scored to give Camarillo a 6-0 lead.

“We’ve hit the ball well all year,” Camarillo Coach Ken Wagner said. “So the way we hit today doesn’t surprise me.”