Calabasas’ Sandler Back in Form

Only weeks after a pinched nerve in his lower back threatened to ruin his senior season before it began, Calabasas left-hander Jared Sandler picked up the victory as the Coyotes trounced Moorpark, 12-2, Friday in the Frontier League opener for both teams.

Sandler (1-0), who attended Montclair Prep for three years and was 12-2 for the Mounties last season, transferred to Calabasas this year because his parents moved. But before Sandler could unleash his off-speed repertoire on Frontier League hitters, he strained his back in a scout league game last fall and then re-injured it in early February.

The remedies were trips to a chiropractor and little-to-no baseball activity for a month, but Sandler showed few signs of rust Friday, pitching five solid innings.

He gave up one run and four hits, keeping the Musketeers (1-4) off-balance with a fastball, changeup and curve, producing a succession of fly balls and groundouts.

“I’m only at 60 to 70% right now and I’ve got a long way to go,” said Sandler, who struck out two, walked one and has pitched seven innings this season. “I didn’t know if I’d be able to throw strikes, but I’m happy. Things went well and the back’s pain-free.”

Calabasas (4-0) hammered Moorpark starter Travis Ehrlich (0-2) with nine hits and eight runs in the first two innings.

Coyote third baseman and No. 5 hitter Brett Niles had three hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning.

“They jumped on us early and we couldn’t get any offense going,” Moorpark Coach Scott Fullerton said.

“Sandler’s the first guy we’ve seen with good off-speed stuff and we’ve only got three guys who’ve played varsity baseball.”