Landaker Erases Any Doubts in 13-2 West Victory

Dave Landaker had nothing left to prove, or so it seemed. Entering Saturday’s Bernie Milligan All-Star Game, the shortstop already had racked up enough postseason awards to short out an airport metal detector.

Nonetheless, guys find motivation in different places.

For Landaker, a senior from Royal High, a spark was found in a newspaper article in which Hart shortstop John Aguilar claimed to be Landaker’s baseball equal.

“There was a quote from the other shortstop that kind of irked me,” Landaker admitted with a grin. “I wanted to show everyone that my being drafted was no mistake, that batting .500 last season was no fluke.”

There is no residual doubt.

Landaker lit up the Cal State Northridge baseball diamond, pounding out a record four hits to lead the West to a 13-2 rout, ending the East’s six-game winning streak.

Landaker, who was drafted in the second round by the Houston Astros on June 1, was four for five with a walk, drove in three runs and scored three. He was the first player in series history to have four hits in a game and was selected the most valuable player. He also made three standout defensive plays.

“He did everything,” West co-Coach Kevin Campbell said. “He put on a show. It wasn’t just that he hit four balls, he hit one to right field, one up the middle. You had to be impressed.”

Aguilar, starting for the East, made a good accounting for himself. He had two hits and singled with none out in the sixth to break up a West no-hit bid.

Right-handed starter John Snyder of Westlake set the tone, pitching three scoreless and hitless innings for the West. Snyder, who also pitched three hitless innings last Sunday in the Ventura County All-Star Game, was the winning pitcher.

Crespi third baseman Vic Seper was the early catalyst for the West. He had a first-inning double and scored the game’s first run, then added a two-run single in the second as the West took a 4-0 lead off loser Tony Kuper of Grant.

Snyder and Jeff Gibbons of Oak Park did not allow a hit over the first five innings as West rolled to an 8-0 lead. West outfielder Brian Basowski of Cleveland had two triples, drove in two runs and scored three. Julio Marcial of Cleveland also had two hits.

The East scored twice in the sixth against Chatsworth right-hander Brandon Nickens on a run-scoring single by Richard Mena of Providence and a passed ball. Nickens pitched a scoreless seventh and Simi Valley’s Chris Devlin did not allow a run over the final two innings. The East managed just five hits--all singles.

“It’s pretty nice,” Campbell said, “having 20 guys that can play.”

But as anyone with 20-20 vision could see, it was Landaker’s show.

“Baseball is a lifelong dream--I’ve always wanted to play it,” Landaker said. “Being drafted is a dream come true, having this kind of season has been unbelievable.”

So was his happy ending.