Encino to Open Play in Pony World Series

The Encino Pony League baseball team will hit the big time tonight in Washington, Pa., as the team makes its first appearance in the eight-team Pony League World Series.

Encino will face host Washington, Pa., at 5 p.m. PDT.

Encino (14-2) earned its trip to the World Series by sweeping through the West Zone tournament last weekend in Camarillo without losing a game. The team is four wins away from a World Series title.

“They’re just really happy to be here,” Coach P. C. Shaw said. “It’s a great group of kids. There’s not one superstar on the team. It’s been a different hero every night.”

Encino will rest its opening-night hopes on the arm of Chris Ferebee (7-0), the winning pitcher in the West Zone championship game Monday night against Rialto. Ferebee has a 2.95 earned-run average.

For run support, Encino will look to slugger Steve Chavez, a catcher who is hitting .469 and has eight home runs.

Left fielder Jesus Perez is entering the Series on a roll with four home runs in his past four games. Encino also should get production from right fielder Kevin Deitch (.470), center fielder Cesar Martinez (.380, four home runs), third baseman Justin Paperny (.396) and first baseman Glen Carson (.372).

Should Encino win, it will face the winner of the Puerto Rico-Orland Park, Ill., game Sunday night. Should Encino lose, it will face the loser of that same game Saturday night at 8.

Staff ace Chris Garza (5-0, 1.45 ERA) is scheduled to pitch the second game for Encino.