Little Hit Goes Long Way for El Camino Real

Funny isn’t the term the Chatsworth High baseball team would use. But then, the Chancellors were the butt of a 10-3 decision Tuesday that was hardly a laugher.

The setup: El Camino Real shortstop Dan Cey dropped a perfect bunt between the pitcher and third baseman with nobody on base and two out in the fifth inning. Ten minutes later, the Conquistadores had five runs to blow open a West Valley League game at Chatsworth.

The punch line: “The funny thing is, that was the first time I bunted in three years of high school,” Cey said. “No sacrifices, no nothing.

“The infield was back on the grass, and when (the pitcher) started to throw, I figured, ‘What the hell.’ ”

Make no mistake, this was not a game of little ball. El Camino Real (13-1, 9-0 in league play) racked up seven extra-base hits en route to its 10th consecutive victory. The Conquistadores, ranked sixth in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, also reached double figures in runs for the 10th time.

Cey’s bunt single was the most incendiary of his three hits. With El Camino Real holding a 4-2 lead, Cey legged out the bunt and swiped second, amid much ado.

The throw from catcher Brandon Murphy arrived at second in time, but shortstop Bryan LaCour caught the ball behind the bag and Cey avoided the tag. Chatsworth Coach Tom Meusborn argued the critical call at length, to no avail.

Randy Wolf walked and Justin Balser followed with a two-run triple to give El Camino Real a four-run cushion. After consecutive walks, Jeff Astgen yanked a three-run double into left-center for a 9-2 lead.

Wolf (6-0) finished with a four-hitter, struck out six and gave up one earned run--a solo homer by outfielder Mark Lopez in the seventh.

El Camino Real scored four times in the first, finding every gap in the yard. Right-hander Jim DeBiase (7-2) surrendered three doubles and a triple in the inning.

“We’re not a team that relies on the home run,” said Balser, who doubled, tripled and drove in three runs. “We’re more of a double-in-the-gap team team that uses speed.”

The league race is fast becoming a runaway. Second-place Chatsworth (13-5, 6-3) lost for the third time in a row to fall three games behind the Conquistadores with eight to play.