Chatsworth shows it has work to do in 11-6 win over Banning

Two perennial baseball powers from the City Section, Chatsworth of the West Valley League and Wilmington Banning of the Marine League, faced off Monday in a nonleague game, and what was learned is that both teams have a long way to go before they can consider booking reservations to the City final on June 2 at Dodger Stadium.

Chatsworth (5-1-1) came away with an 11-6 victory thanks to 17 hits that included three singles and a double from junior first baseman Chris DeVito. The Chancellors became the first team this season to jump on Banning ace Erik Magdaleno, who gave up 10 hits and six runs in 4 1/3 innings.

But the Chancellors didn’t play well in the field and their pitching was inconsistent, leading to a loud grilling of the pitching staff from Coach Tom Meusborn in right field after the game. And Banning (2-6) continued to struggle on defense even though eight starters are back.

“We need to do a better job,” Meusborn said. “There were too many mistakes today. I think it was a sloppy game by both teams. We have a lot of work to improve, and I think both teams will get better and play well down the stretch.”?

League play begins next week, and both teams have enough potential to be considered City title contenders. Chatsworth junior Jason Karkenny started on the mound Monday and had good moments, giving up two hits in 3 1/3 innings. Chris Schraut relieved and got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth with a double-play grounder.

Banning, which was shut out by San Fernando, 1-0, last week, finally got its bats going in the later innings and finished with eight hits.

DeVito, who’s 6 feet 3, hit the ball hard in every at-bat. He was supported by Scott Voets, who had three hits, and Justin Vega, who hit a solo home run over the right-field fence and finished with three hits.

The good news for Chatsworth is that one of its best players, left-handed pitcher-outfielder Kiefer Kofman, is on the mend from a right shoulder injury suffered sliding. When he returns in a couple of weeks, he should boost the pitching and hitting.

Banning will have to get ready for its usual Marine League encounters with rivals Narbonne and San Pedro. The major challenge for Coach John Gonzalez is getting players to make routine plays on defense.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

twitter.com/LATSondheimer