HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

The rivalry between Thousand Oaks and Westlake has become one of the most heated in Ventura County in the last five seasons.

Last season, former Thousand Oaks coach Bill Sizemore and Westlake Coach Chuck Berrington exchanged angry words after a game.

This season, Berrington and Gary Wagner, the new Thousand Oaks coach, have pledged to return civility to the rivalry when the teams play Wednesday.

They have dedicated the season series to Wagner’s father, Ken, the recently retired coach at Moorpark College who mentored both men.

“Thousand Oaks and Westlake is the best baseball rivalry in Ventura County,” Berrington said. “We want this to be about the kids instead of the coaches.”

Gary Wagner and Berrington coached together in 1994 when they were co-coaches on the Thousand Oaks junior varsity team.

“I waited a long time to be a head coach and Gary waited even longer,” Berrington. “Given the chance, he’s going to do a great job with that program.”

Westlake won both games with Thousand Oaks last season and is 8-2 against the Lancers in the last five years.