Not many first basemen bat leadoff, but...

Not many first basemen bat leadoff, but Simi Valley’s Danny Turock has excelled since Coach Joe Gordon inserted him at the top of the order last month.

Turock, a senior, has reached base 25 times in 35 plate appearances, helping the Pioneers (10-7, 4-3 in the Marmonte League) win five of their last seven.

“He’s given us a lift,” Gordon said. “He didn’t swing the bat all that well last year, but he’s done a great job this year.”

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Calabasas (12-5, 5-0) leads the Frontier League because of a strong pitching staff, but sophomore John Henry Jacobs deserves credit for giving the Coyotes an offensive boost.

Jacobs is batting .500 (12 for 24) since being moved to cleanup last month, improving his average to .429 and helping Calabasas win six of its last eight games.

His two-out single in the 10th inning gave Calabasas a 3-2 victory over Upland in the Babe Herman tournament last week.

The Coyotes were 3-1 in the tournament.