Chatsworth’s Wexler Slam-Dunks El Camino Real, 5-1

Left-hander Mike Conn of El Camino Real High got through a shaky first inning Wednesday against Chatsworth without allowing a run. In the second, he wasn’t so lucky.

After a pep talk from Conquistadore Coach Mike Maio with the bases loaded, Mike Wexler hit Conn’s second pitch over the left-field fence, powering the host Chancellors to a 5-1 victory.

Chatsworth (14-5, 5-5 in West Valley League play) remained tied for first place with Taft, a game ahead of El Camino Real (11-9, 4-6).

Wexler, the Chancellors’ leadoff hitter, was surprised as anyone by the grand slam, which gave Chatsworth a 5-0 lead.

“I’m usually just a get-on-base type of guy,” Wexler said. “That was the first [home run] I can remember hitting.”

Conn (2-4) was dispatched to right field following Wexler’s blast. He threw 37 pitches, 21 of which were balls. He was replaced by Junior Avina, who held Chatsworth to two hits in four innings.

But the Conquistadores couldn’t solve Chatsworth’s Greg Wold (5-1), who scattered seven hits, struck out seven and walked none.

El Camino Real began to make contact in the later innings, but Wold wavered only in the sixth, when he gave up back-to-back singles to Conn and Gavin Bible to open the inning.

Wexler made a diving catch of a short fly to center by Shaun Fishman and first baseman David Sark saved two runs by handling Woody Cliffords’ sharp grounder.

“Greg was going after hitters and we made good plays defensively,” Chatsworth Coach Tom Muesborn said. “Those are the things we need to keep doing consistently.”

With one out in the seventh, Ray LeDuc doubled for El Camino Real and pinch-runner Joel Morales scored on a throwing error.