Westlake Hits on a Winning Formula, 6-2

During the course of an average baseball game, there’s typically a duffel bag full of things that aren’t indicated in the box score. There are loud hits, big hits and dink hits. There are warning-track shots for outs and Texas League bloopers for doubles.

Then there are the first-ever hits.

And while the significance of Westlake High’s two first-of-a-kind hits won’t be fully reflected in the numerical account of Friday’s 6-2 victory over Thousand Oaks, both registered pretty high on the emotional, if not the Richter, scale.

In his first varsity at-bat, junior pinch-hitter Phil McGrath lined a two-run home run in the fifth inning, giving Westlake a 4-1 lead en route to victory in the Marmonte League opening game for both teams at Westlake.

The other significant hit was more of a push. In the top of the fifth, Westlake catcher Jim Henderson shoved Thousand Oaks batter Blake Evans to the ground and was then ejected from the game. The ouster of Henderson seemed to ignite Westlake.

“I’m hoping that I just inspired them, not that I’m holding them back quality-wise,” Henderson, a three-year starter, laughed afterward. “That’s the first time I’ve ever been tossed.”

Henderson floored Evans after Westlake pitcher Greg Struhl unloaded a wild pitch with runners on first and second. The ball caromed off the backstop toward first base, and while Henderson stayed near home plate in case Lancer baserunner Joe Sturges tried to score from second, he and Evans had a falling out, that ended with Evans falling down.

After Struhl--a junior left-hander--escaped from the top of the fifth by retiring Evans on a ground ball, Westlake left fielder Ed Aguilar led off with a walk off Dan Churgy (0-1). One out later, Westlake Coach Dennis Judd sent McGrath up to hit for first baseman John Rowedder.

McGrath ripped a 1-2 pitch that barely cleared the plastic pipe on the hill in right field that distinguishes home runs from ground-rule doubles. Westlake (4-3, 1-0) then added another run in the fifth and one more in the sixth to take a commanding 6-1 lead.

So McGrath, who didn’t figure to be on the team a few weeks ago, had the shot that figured the most against crosstown rival Thousand Oaks (2-5, 0-1), in his only appearance so far this season.

“That’s a funny story in itself,” Judd said. “We went through tryouts and McGrath was cut. In his last day of practice, he hits two long home runs in batting practice. So I kept him. And now he’s the hero.”