Birkins Leads El Camino Real by Chatsworth

Of course something strange was going to happen; this was Chatsworth High and El Camino Real playing for the City Section 4-A Division baseball title.

In the longest championship game since the title has been decided at Dodger Stadium, sixth-seeded El Camino Real scored three runs in the top of the 10th inning to upset top-seeded Chatsworth, 5-2, Thursday night before a crowd of 4,500.

El Camino Real, which had lost all three regular-season games to Chatsworth, won its fourth title in the past six years.

The Conquistadores and Chancellors have played for the City title four times in the past nine years. The three previous games were decided by one run, each with dramatic endings.

This would be no different.

Kurt Birkins (11-2), who was pounded by Chatsworth (29-4), in their meeting three weeks ago, held the Chancellors to four hits and struck out 12, including Danny Eisenberg to end the game.

“I think his velocity was about the same, but his location was there tonight,” Chatsworth pitcher Mike Kunes said.

Kunes (12-2) was nearly as effective for Chatsworth, at least for nine innings.

Kunes finally ran out of gas in the 10th, giving up back-to-back singles to Woody Cliffords and Conor Jackson.

But the big hit belonged to Birkins, who hit a deep fly ball over the head of right fielder Chad Redfern for a double that scored two runs.

“With two strikes I was just hoping to make contact,” Birkins said. “And I happened to get a hanging changeup. [Kunes] is a great pitcher. You have to take advantage of it.”

Brian Somoza hit Kunes’ next pitch to the base of the wall in right-center for another double, giving El Camino Real (19-9) the 5-2 lead.

Birkins was strong in the 10th, retiring Chatsworth in order to clinch the title.

El Camino Real could have ended it earlier. The Conquistadores had a chance in the seventh after a leadoff single by Sean McElroy.

But pinch-hitter Timothy Harding’s bunt was fielded cleanly by third baseman Matt Cassel, who threw to shortstop Matt Fisher for the force. Kunes then got Brandon Kahan to hit a fly ball to center field and struck out Matt Schwartz.

El Camino Real had better luck in the eighth, thanks to some shaky fielding by the Chancellors.

Cliffords hit a one-out single to right field, then appeared to be picked off first base after breaking for second. But first baseman Scott Sellz threw the ball into the dirt by second and Cliffords was safe.

Jackson hit Kunes’ first-pitch into short left field. Bryan Gant, unsure whether to attempt a diving catch, let the ball slip past him. Cliffords scored and Jackson wound up on second base. Jackson could only get to third before he was stranded.

Birkins was brilliant in the middle innings, retiring 12 consecutive batters during one stretch. “He just pitched a great game and he also came up with the big hit. It was his night,” Cassel said.