Raba, Ventura Post 7-5 Win Over West Side

Eric Raba of Camarillo High allowed only one hit and no runs in three innings Saturday to spark the Ventura County All-Stars to a 7-5 victory over West Side of Los Angeles at Ventura College.

Raba, who picked up the win, pitched the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Troy Dunlap of Culver City was the only batter to reach base against Raba, singling in the sixth.

“I felt good,” said Raba, who was 5-4 with a 3.16 earned-run average during the season. “My fastball was moving and my curveball was working. The infield and outfield played really well behind me.”

Third baseman Bill Hall of Thousand Oaks and shortstop Rob Fournier of Nordhoff recorded unassisted double plays in the sixth and eighth innings.

Outfielders Damon Hicks of Hueneme and Jimmie Davis of Channel Islands chipped in with diving catches after long runs in the fourth and seventh.

“I was surprised their pitchers controlled our hitters so well,” said West Side Coach Ben Dudley of Santa Monica High. “That pitcher (Raba) absolutely changed the tone of the game. The key was a combination of good pitching and defense for Ventura.”

Trailing, 3-1, Ventura scored four runs in the second inning to take a 5-3 lead. The outburst was highlighted by a two-run double by Chris Marsden of Newbury Park.

Hall’s two-run double in the eighth gave Ventura a 7-4 lead.

Pitcher David Soliz of Rio Mesa held West Side scoreless in the seventh and eighth but tired in the ninth, allowing a run. Tim Cass of Ventura came in with one out and two on and recorded the final outs.

Ventura starter Sam Arroyo of Buena allowed four runs in three innings.