Szymanski Gets Back at Chatsworth : High school baseball: Memory of El Camino Real’s loss in 1990 City championship game inspires him during two-hit, 6-0 victory.

Three years is a long time to carry a grudge. But Kevin Szymanski has packed it around in his equipment bag along with his spikes, cap and glove since he was a freshman.

In 1990, Chatsworth High upset El Camino Real, 3-2, at Dodger Stadium in a memorable City Section 4-A Division final.

El Camino Real freshmen Justin Balser, Dan Cey, Mike Smith and Szymanski were promoted from the junior varsity for the game, then watched as Chatsworth swiped the championship by scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh. All now are senior starters.

“I’ve wanted to beat those guys ever since,” Szymanski said. “We were all called up just to see what the playoffs were like, for the experience. Looks like it’s paying off.”

Thursday, Szymanski was paying back. The senior right-hander tossed a two-hitter to beat Chatsworth, 6-0, in a West Valley League game at El Camino Real.

Szymanski, whose side-arm offerings start at the batter’s knees, then dive-bomb toward earth, faced only one batter above the minimum over the final 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five, walked one and hit a batter.

Szymanski’s startling lack of velocity has made more than a few folks wonder how he’s been so effective. With the victory, Szymanski improved to 6-1 and lowered his earned-run average to 1.22.

How’s he do it?

“I don’t know,” Coach Mike Maio said, shrugging and grinning. “He’s obviously doing the job. Maybe he’s underrated.”

The rest of the group definitely has lived up to its rating--sixth in the state, according to Cal-Hi Sports. The Conquistadores (14-1, 10-0 in league play) won for the 11th time in a row and opened a four-game lead in league play with seven to play.

John Novak started the attack with a run-scoring single in the second that keyed a two-run rally. Novak also singled home two runs in the third, then took his customary seat on the bench next to a slew of girls keeping statistics.

“That’s the life,” said Novak, the designated hitter.

Sophomore right-hander Harry Kenoi (2-1), who pitched 10 scoreless innings last week against Kennedy, was yanked after 2 1/3 innings. Chatsworth (13-6, 6-4) committed four errors behind him.

With El Camino Real holding a 2-0 lead, Justin Martin and Jeff Astgen dropped consecutive bunt singles to open the third before Cey doubled them home for a 4-0 lead. Four batters later, Novak singled home Cey and Randy Wolf for a 6-0 lead.

By then, Szymanski was in the groove. He allowed singles to Mark Lopez in the first and Rod Daryabigi in the fifth, and the latter was erased on a 3-6-3 double play. Nonetheless, Szymanski pitched the entire game from the stretch position, as he has all season.

“It’s more comfortable,” he said.

Three years is a long stretch, too, but he finally earned his revenge.