Baseball: It’s a whole new El Camino Real look for 2014 [Video]
City Section power Woodland Hills El Camino Real has gone back to the basics _ fielding, pitching and timely hitting. After a 14-17 record last season and a first-round playoff loss, the Conquistadores are going to make a quick turnaround in 2014.
They’ve already advanced to the semifinals of the VIBL playoffs after a 4-1 victory over Granada Hills Kennedy on Thursday. Using a combination of talented sophomores up from junior varsity and a couple of hungry varsity returnees, El Camino Real should be back near the top of the West Valley League.
Sophomore left-hander Jeremy Polon struck out eight and walked three. He’s got a nice curveball, throws strikes and should be a solid high school pitcher over the next three seasons.
Sophomore designated hitter Eric Yang has been hot all summer, and he had an RBI double on Thursday. Senior first baseman Erik Whittlesey had an RBI double. What’s changed is that the Conquistadores look like they have solid fielding in the infield with shortstop Tommy Derry and second baseman Edgar Vela.
Nick Rodriguez had an RBI triple for Kennedy and three assists at shortstop, but the Golden Cougars made some mental errors, with two runners picked off in the sixth.
El Camino Real will host Saugus on Saturday morning. Saugus defeated Camarillo, 5-3. Rex Kemple and Anthony Donatella each had two hits and two RBIs.
Top-seeded Chatsworth defeated Canyon, 10-3. Riley Conlan went four for five with three doubles. Tyler Ryan added three hits. Chatsworth will host Hart on Saturday at 10 a.m. Hart outlasted Calabasas, 6-5, in nine innings, with Weston Fitzpatrick’s third hit of the game scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
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