AMERICAN LEGION WORLD SERIES : Naster’s Shutout Gives Newbury Oaks Championship

Jeff Naster, his right arm hanging at his side, personified the attitude of the Newbury Oaks American Legion team Sunday.

Naster, a pitcher who has been bothered by arm problems all summer, asked for the ball in the championship game of the Legion World Series.

“We had to go all-out today,” Naster said. “Some of us have been playing together since we were 10 years old, and we never won anything. We’re 18 now, so it was now or never.”

Naster pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings as Newbury Oaks--a team of players from Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park high schools--hammered Arlington Heights, Ill., 10-0, in the Series final before 2,545 at Jack Williams Field.

It was the team’s second shutout of the day. Behind left-hander Adam West, Newbury Oaks defeated Brooklawn, N.J., 3-0, to reach the championship game.

Newbury Oaks (41-3) is the first team since 1987 to lose its opener under the double-elimination format and win the tournament.

Newbury Oaks pounded out 17 hits, including 16 against right-hander Brian Schmack in 7 2/3 innings. Schmack defeated Newbury Oaks in the tournament opener, 8-5, last Wednesday.

Naster (4-0) gave up five hits, struck out six and walked one. In regional and Series competition over the past two weeks, Naster allowed one earned run and 14 hits over 24 innings.

David Lamb, a shortstop who will be a senior at Newbury Park, was the Legion national player of the year. Lamb was 20 for 47 in regional and Series play.