Big Games : Crenshaw at University

University, 16-2 overall and 4-1 in the Western League as the week began, will try to fatten up on Crenshaw, which has had a rough time in league play, when the teams meet at 3 p.m. Monday at University.

The Warriors have played solid baseball throughout the season. Part of the reason for their fast start after finishing 9-15 overall last year, is the play of pitchers Charlie German and Ben Posen, who have combined for a 9-0 record. Also playing well is Ross Rosenfeld, whose .467 batting average ranks him in the top 10 in the league. University Coach Frank Cruz said that if his team plays solid defense and continues to hit the ball the way it has, it should have no trouble in beating Crenshaw for a second time this year.

Palisades at Venice

Palisades travels to defending 3-A City champion Venice, 17-3 overall and 4-1 in the Western League, for a showdown with the Gondoliers at 3 p.m. Monday. Both these teams know each other very well, having battled for the city championship at Dodger Stadium last year. Venice tied University for the league lead by defeating the Warriors 8-5 last Monday. Down 3-0 in the fifth inning, the Gondoliers put together a rally, highlighted by outfielder Roger Serafin’s grand slam.

Venice defeated Palisades earlier in the year, 8-0, but Coach Jeff Shimizu said that his team will have to play a solid all-around game on the mound, in the field and at the plate to beat Palisades again. Players to watch in this game for the Gondoliers are Serafin and second baseman Will Galinato, who are batting .455 and .462, respectively, in league, and pitcher Armando Gomez, who has a 4-0 record in league play with three complete games.

St. Monica at Cantwell

St. Monica, 3-8 overall and 1-5 in the Camino Real League, will play at Cantwell, 5-5 and 2-4, at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

St. Monica Coach Bill Krallis said there is still time for his team to turn things around and slip into the playoffs. All the Mariners have needed is a little luck to turn some losses into wins, he said.

A leaping catch by Serra second baseman Erikk Aldridge with Mariners at second and third preserved a 4-2 win over St. Monica last week.

Krallis said his team has not been able to win the close games and that his top pitcher, Frank Tedeschi, has a 1.85 earned run average but only one victory.