Chatsworth Leaves Birmingham on Ice, 8-0

Tom Morefield didn’t see either coming.

Not the shower of crushed ice. And certainly not his first two home runs of the season.

Morefield, soaked to the skin after being doused by teammates, stood beaming after leading a late-inning explosion that carried Chatsworth High to an 8-0 West Valley League victory over Birmingham on Tuesday at Chatsworth.

The Chancellors (14-7, 9-3 in conference play) moved three games ahead of Birmingham (14-12, 6-6). The teams play again Thursday at Birmingham.

“I’m a little surprised,” Morefield said. “I was just trying to lean back and make contact.”

Morefield, the Chancellors’ No. 8 batter, is relied upon more for his relief pitching than power. However, he snapped a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a solo shot to right field off Birmingham ace Alberto Flores (7-3).

In the sixth, Morefield capped a seven-run rally with a towering two-run homer to left over a 40-foot-high net.

Eight years ago, the school erected the giant screen to appease residents of a neighboring apartment building. Since then, complaints of wayward baseballs have been rare.

“Occasionally, it happens,” Chatsworth Coach Tom Meusborn said. “But not too often anymore. He hasn’t gotten a lot of at-bats. Big day for him.”

Likewise for right-hander Ismael Marin (7-0), who out-dueled Flores while working out of constant trouble.

Marin allowed seven hits, all singles. Five were to leadoff batters and twice the Braves positioned runners at first and second with none out.

Birmingham stranded five baserunners.

“You can’t win a game without getting key hits,” Birmingham Coach Rick Weber said.

Marin, who struck out three, benefited by solid defensive play that included two infield double plays.

“I have confidence in my defense,” Marin said. “I let them hit the ball.”

Flores kept Chatsworth off-balance early by shuffling a fastball and curve. He struck out three and did not allow more than one runner in an inning through five.

In the sixth, Bryan Gant led off with a double and Flores’ troubles began. Four batters later, Danny Eisenberg chased Flores with a two-run home run to center to give the Chancellors a 6-0 lead.

“The ball just started to go and everything went the wrong way,” Flores said.

Morefield’s second home run came against reliever Joey Rubin with Mike Kunes on first.