Valley North Gives More of Same to Newhall Saugus

The last time Valley North and Newhall Saugus met on the baseball field, the game meant next to nothing.

With both teams assured a berth in the American Legion Area 6 playoffs, Newhall Saugus virtually conceded the District 20 title to Valley North last week, starting a pitcher who hadn’t thrown in a game for six years.

The stakes were slightly higher in the Area 6 playoffs Saturday but the result was the same.

Matt Cassel and Matt Fisher, sophomores-to-be at Chatsworth High, each drove in four runs and Valley North routed Newhall Saugus, 15-2, at Jackie Robinson Stadium in a game shortened to seven innings because of the 10-run rule.

Valley North (28-6) advanced to the title game of the double-elimination tournament today at noon against Newhall Saugus, which defeated Camarillo later Saturday.

Newhall Saugus must beat Valley North twice to advance to the state tournament in Yountville next week.

The outcome was obvious early, with Valley North scoring 14 runs in the first three innings.

Newhall Saugus starter Bob Potruch was replaced after four batters. He walked the first two on eight pitches, then after a strikeout, mishandled a throw from first baseman Chris Coash on a close play. He made matters worse by failing to retrieve the ball as it rolled into the dugout.

Andy Davidson didn’t fare much better, retiring one of six batters before he was replaced by Steve Lombardi.

Valley North scored six runs in the first inning on one hit.

Valley North got plenty of help from the bottom of the order, especially Cassel at No. 7 and Fisher, the ninth hitter.

Called up from the junior varsity midway through the high school season, Cassel was a utility player for the Chancellors, but he has made the most of his limited starting opportunities this summer.

“It’s getting real tough to keep him out of the lineup,” said Valley North Coach Matt LaCour said.

By winning, Valley North avoided having to play four games in two days.

“We needed this,” LaCour said. “We just don’t have the pitching to get through the loser’s bracket.”

Tom Morefield (2-1), who had not pitched in a month because of a shoulder injury, threw a six-hitter while walking five and striking out five.

“The arm feels pretty good,” Morefield said. “It helps when you get a big lead.”

Eric Horvat hit a home run for Newhall Saugus.

Newhall Saugus 15, Camarillo A 7--Two hours after being blasted by Valley North, Newhall Saugus got four runs batted in from Steve Lombardi to eliminate Camarillo (25-7).

J.T. Stotts had two hits and scored three runs for Newhall Saugus (26-9). Lombardi had a two-run homer.

Jay Caligiuri and Jeff Bannon each had two hits for Camarillo.

Camarillo A 7, Westside 2--In an earlier game, Joe Borchard and Caligiuri hit two-run home runs for Camarillo to eliminate Westside (24-5).

Borchard pitched an eight-hitter and struck out seven.

Shane Miranda had three hits for Camarillo.