El Camino Real Seems Better Suited at No. 2

El Camino Real High’s No. 1 seeding in the City Championship playoffs was expected, but the Conquistadores might have been better off with the No. 2 seeding based on history.

In the last six years, the defending-champion Conquistadores have received either the No. 1 or No. 2 seeding.

El Camino Real won the title only once (last year) in the three years it was seeded No. 1, but was champion in all three years it was seeded No. 2.

The West Valley champions (20-4-1), who host Venice today in a first-round game, are undefeated against City competition. Their losses are to Harvard-Westlake, Calabasas, Cerritos and Chaminade.

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Pressed to explain Newbury Park’s recent turnaround, Coach Lynn Baum drew a blank.

“I have no idea why they’re playing good [lately],” said Baum, whose team defeated Peninsula, 5-0, on Saturday.

Newbury Park (17-11), which lost five of seven games in the final week of April, rebounded with must-win Marmonte League victories over Westlake and Simi Valley last week to stay alive for a playoff berth.

Newbury Park (7-4 in league play), Westlake (16-10, 7-4) and Simi Valley (16-8, 6-4) are in contention for second and third.

Although all three teams could finish tied for second at 7-5, it’s more probable that one team will finish fourth and not earn an automatic playoff berth.

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Ally Webber of Crescenta Valley, a senior right fielder, recently committed to Humboldt State, the defending Division II national champion.

Webber, a leadoff hitter, leads the Falcons with a .369 batting average and 25 runs scored.