Chatsworth Starts Run for No. 1

Chatsworth High School, seeking its first City Section 4-A baseball championship since 1990, is seeded No. 1 for the playoffs that begin Friday.

The West Valley League champion Chancellors (26-3) will host Van Nuys (13-13-1). East Valley champion Sylmar (20-6) is seeded No. 2 and will face visiting Palisades (18-13).

Pacific League champion Carson (23-8) is seeded No. 3 and North Valley champion Kennedy (22-8) is No. 4.

It’s the first time since 1994 that Chatsworth has received the top seed.

“They’re one of the best--there’s no question,” Chatsworth Coach Tom Meusborn said of his team that has lost only to Kennedy, Notre Dame and Taft.

Two of the most intriguing opening matchups have Mid-Valley champion Monroe (16-13-1) and ace pitcher John Ennis taking on East Valley runner-up North Hollywood (17-13-1) in North Hills and defending City 4-A champion El Camino Real (15-9) playing host to East Valley No. 3 finisher Poly (15-6-2).

The winner of the Monroe-North Hollywood game would likely have to face Chatsworth in the second round. El Camino Real’s last defeat to a team other than Chatsworth was to Poly on April 6.

The big decision for coaches will be whether

they throw their No. 1 pitchers in the quarterfinals June 2 with only three days rest after the first round. The semifinals are set for June 4.

The championship game is scheduled for June 11 at Dodger Stadium.

It will be the 30th consecutive season the final is played at Dodger Stadium.

Valley teams have won 24 of the last 25 championships in the 4-A.

El Camino Real is seeking its fourth City title during the 1990s under Coach Mike Maio.

Two of the most dominant pitchers in the tournament could be Chatsworth left-hander Mike Kunes (9-1) and Sylmar right-hander Ivan Hernandez (8-2).

Also important for both teams will be No. 2 pitchers Ismael Marin of Chatsworth and Mario Pacheco of Sylmar.

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Baseball Playoff Matchups

City Section

First round

Friday (All games at 3 p.m.)

*

4-A Division

* (16) Van Nuys (Mid-Valley No.2) at (1) Chatswirth (West Valley No. 1)

* (9) North Hollywood (East Valley No. 2) at (8) Monroe (Mid-Valley No. 1)

* (12) San Pedro (Pacific No. 3) at (5) Weschester (Western No. 1)

* (13) Venice (Western No. 2) at Kennedy (North Valley No. 1)

* (14) Taft (west Valley No. 3) at (3) Carson (North Valley No. 1)

* (11) Poly (East Valley No. 3) at (6) El Camino Real (West Valley No. 2)

* (10) Cleveland) (North Valley No. 2) at (7) Banning (Pacific No. 2)

* (15) Palisades (Western No. 2) at (2) Sylmar (East Valley No. 1)