El Camino Real shuts out Taft
The experimenting is over for Los Angeles City Section baseball teams. On Tuesday, league play finally began, and it was an immediate chance to see which West Valley League teams got the message that there would be no more fooling around if the ambition to topple nine-time City champion Chatsworth is going to reach fruition.
Woodland Hills El Camino Real (6-8), after strugging in the opening month of the season, had its serious game face on and turned the ball over to All-City right-hander Jose Cardona, who delivered a masterpiece in a 9-0 victory over Woodland Hills Taft.
Cardona, a junior who has committed to Cal State Fullerton, struck out 10, walked one and gave up three hits in six innings against the Toreadors (9-5). Mitch Bluman, Kyle Keppel and Paul Hons led a 14-hit attack by each hitting a home run.
El Camino Real has the tradition, but Taft was supposed to offer a challenge based on its strong play against nonleague opponents. But junior pitcher Zach Friedman (4-1) didn’t perform well under pressure. He had three balks in the second inning that led to three runs. It was a tough learning experience.
The game became a rout when El Camino Real scored four runs in the seventh inning against relievers.
What’s clear is that when Cardona throws strikes, he can compete against the best. He has changed his throwing angle this season to take pressure off his arm, and he possesses a nasty curveball that he throws with a sidearm delivery.
The problem for El Camino Real has been trying to find a consistent No. 2 pitcher. The Conquistadores will get to face Taft again Thursday at home.
Each league game has taken on added importance because the City Section took away a whole round of games because of budget cuts. That means the teams will be facing each other only twice instead of three times.
If El Camino Real can play defense when Cardona is pitching, the Conquistadores could be tough.
Granada Hills (8-5) has started to come on behind Bryce Kelly, who struck out nine Tuesday and gave up only six hits in the Highlanders’ 5-1 win over Reseda Cleveland. Kelly also has hit six home runs this season.
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