Bowen Wins After Losing in Classroom

Chatsworth High pitcher Shawn Bowen threw a four-hitter Tuesday afternoon as the Chancellors moved into sole possession of first place in the West Valley League with an 8-2 victory over El Camino at Chatsworth. Bowen (4-1) struck out three and walked four en route to his fourth straight league win.

It was also his last.

Several hours before the game, Bowen learned that a failing grade in a geometry class would make him academically ineligible starting April 20. Bowen will remain eligible during next week’s spring break when Chatsworth competes in the Holt-Goodman tournament. But the 5-9, 160-pound junior right-hander will be on the bench and miss the remainder of the season when school resumes the following Monday.

“I’m disappointed,” Bowen said. “I just wanted to help the team out today and put them into first place before I left. It was the biggest game of the year for the team. This win has to put the pressure on the other teams in the league because we’re playing such good baseball right now.”

When Chatsworth and El Camino Real met last month, the Conquistadores pulled out a dramatic, 3-2 victory on a two-out, two-run double by Ryan McGuire in the seventh inning.

But Chatsworth (9-2 overall, 6-1) turned the rematch into a rout on Tuesday, taking a 6-0 lead after four innings. Catcher John Dunn paced the Chancellors’ 11-hit attack with a 3 for 4 day, including a double, 2 triples and 3 runs scored. Rex McMackin also was 3 for 4.

Bowen had a no-hitter going for 4 innings until Greg Trapp lined a single down the right-field line. In the sixth inning, El Camino Real (5-2) spoiled Bowen’s shutout with two unearned runs.

“Shawn’s one of the best pitchers in the league,” Dunn said. “His fastball was right on target and his other pitches were working great. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d say today’s performance was a 9 1/2.”

But Bowen must wait until next year for a “10”.