JV Update: Sharks 4, Santa Clara 3

Greg Kernodle tripled to drive in Sloan Campi with the tying run and then scored the go-ahead run on a groundout as Malibu defeated Santa Clara 4-3. Wesley Semkin pitched a complete game to earn the win for Coach Adam Paulson's squad.

Sharks 14, Santa Clara 2

Just three days after failing to get a runner past second base against Harvard Westlake, the Sharks pounded out thirteen hits in the course of a 14-2 win over the Santa Clara Saints. Brooks Fitch (3-2) pitched a complete game, his fourth of the season, allowing only one earned run while striking out twelve.

After Fitch got out of a 28-pitch first inning unscathed, Malibu turned four walks, a sacrifice fly, and a base hit into two runs in the bottom of the first. After Brett Weinstock and Geoff Roth walked, Daniel Williams was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jamie Van Soelen followed with a fly to right that scored Weinstock and sent Roth to third. Phil Johnson walked and, after Jason Puklus struck out, Fitch hit a one-hopper off the glove of the third baseman. Roth scored on the play but Williams was gunned down at the plate by the Santa Clara shortstop.

In the second inning, Stephen Williams walked with one out. Weinstock followed with a double deep to left that scored Williams. After Roth popped out, Daniel Williams drove an 0-1 pitch into left field to make the score 4-0.

Daniel Williams

The Sharks batted around and added three more runs in the third inning. Puklus led off with an infield hit and moved to second on Fitch’s second hit of the day. Michael Gwyn knocked in Puklus with a single to left. After Stephen Williams flied out to left, Weinstock was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Roth then singled to drive in Fitch and Gwyn to make the score 7-0.

Santa Clara’s Chris Hernandez shut out the Sharks in the fourth and fifth innings, but Fitch continued to dominate the Saints hitters. Santa Clara finally scored in top of the sixth when Fitch hit a batter with one out and then committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt at first. With the Saints runner on third, Fitch struck out the next two hitters, but the second strikeout victim end up on first and a run scored as Fitch’s two-strike curveball in the dirt eluded Gwyn.

Phil Johnson (3B), Brett Weinstock (2B), and Geoff Roth (RF)

Malibu sent thirteen hitters to the plate in the bottom of the sixth. Johnson led off with a fly out to deep center. Puklus then drove the ball to the fence in center for a double. Fitch walked and was replaced on first by George Azzi. Gwyn’s single drove in Puklus. After Stephen Williams walked to load the bases, Weinstock grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Azzi at the plate. Roth’s single to left center drove in two runs. Daniel Williams was then hit by a pitch to load the bases again. Van Soelen walked to force in Weinstock. Johnson singled to center to drive in two more runs. Puklus walked and then Azzi singled to drive in Van Soelen with the seventh run of the inning before Duncan Daw, hitting for Gwyn, struck out.

In the top of the seventh, Santa Clara turned a single, two stolen bases, and an infield groundout into their second run making the final score 14-2.

Jason Puklus

For Malibu, Geoff Roth was 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Jason Puklus, Daniel Williams, and Brooks Fitch were all 2-for-3. Michael Gwyn was 2-for-4 and George Azzi was 1-for-1.

Scouting Report: Santa Clara Saints

The Sharks play three games in the next seven days against Santa Clara, including the makeup of a game rained out on March 18. The Sharks and Saints play today in Malibu and Friday and Monday in Oxnard. . . . Santa Clara enters the three-game series with a 4-10 record overall and a 1-5 record in the Frontier League. The Saints defeated Oaks Christian, 4-2, last Tuesday, but lost 10-0 in the game on Friday. . . . Each of Santa Clara's Frontier League opponents thus far has shut out the Saints once.

Schedule Change

The makeup game at Santa Clara scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, April 27) has been changed to Monday, May 2.

Harvard Westlake 1, Sharks 0

One day after scoring eleven runs against Nordhoff, the Sharks were shut out for the first time this season.

Aaron Westine pitched a complete-game three-hitter, but one of the hits drove in a run and that was all it took for Harvard Westlake to defeat the Sharks on Saturday. Baserunning mistakes and a tough lefthander on the mound for Harvard Westlake kept Malibu on the short end of a 1-0 score.

After Westine stranded two baserunners in the top of the first, Brett Weinstock led off in the bottom of the inning with a double deep in the left centerfield gap. He was quickly erased, however, when Geoff Roth grounded back to the pitcher who threw to third in time for the tag. The Sharks never again got a runner as close to third as Weinstock had been.

Harvard Westlake scored its only run in the third inning by way of a walk, a stolen base, and a single.

Pitcher Aaron Westine and shortstop Alex Beck go after a pop fly.

In the fourth inning, Brooks Fitch led off with a single down the third base line. After Jared Weinstock struck out, Michael Gwyn singled to right, moving Fitch to second. The rally quickly ended, however, as Alex Beck grounded into a double play.

The Sharks threatened to score one more time in the bottom of the sixth. Daniel Williams reached first as the first baseman was unable to come up with a throw in the dirt. He stole second and, one out later, Jamie Van Soelen drove a 3-2 pitch deep to center field. Malibu's hopes died, however, as the center fielder made the catch near the warning track.

Manager Paul Gallo and Coach Dave Buss survey the defense.

Weinstock, Roth, Williams, Fitch, Gwyn, and Beck had hits for Malibu. Two Malibu baserunners were picked off.

Next up for the Sharks is a Frontier League game against Santa Clara on Tuesday.

Scouting Report: Harvard Westlake Wolverines

The Harvard Westlake Wolverines enter today's game with the Sharks with a 3-12 record. The wins have come against Grant High School (in the Daily News Victory Invitational), Culver City, and St. Francis of La Canada. . . . The Wolverines play in the tough Mission League with Chaminade, Crespi, Notre Dame, Loyola, Alemany, and St. Francis. . . . On the mound for the Sharks will be Aaron Westine (2-1, 3.00 ERA). Westine gave up only two earned runs in four-and-a-third innings against Oak Park last Saturday but took the loss as the Eagles defeated Malibu 8-1 in game one of a doubleheader.

Sharks 11, Nordhoff 7

Coach Paul Gallo juggled the Malibu lineup and came up with six hits and five runs from the top two spots in the order as the Sharks defeated the Nordhoff Rangers 11-7 in the final meeting of the season for the two Frontier League rivals. Brett Weinstock went 3-for-4 and scored four runs batting leadoff for the first time and Geoff Roth, in the second spot for the first time since March 7, added another three hits and an RBI. Daniel Williams, hitting third for the first time this season, responded with four RBIs including a two-RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to break a 5-5 tie.

Phil Johnson delivers to the plate.

Roth, who replaced starter Phil Johnson in the third, scattered four hits over four and two-thirds innings to earn his second win in relief this season.

Nordhoff jumped on top early, scoring three runs in the top of the first on a walk, two singles, a double, and an RBI groundout. Malibu countered with two in the bottom of the first. Weinstock led off with a single to left and moved to second on Roth’s single through the infield. Both advanced on Williams’ infield groundout. Johnson drove in Weinstock with another groundout. Jamie Van Soelen followed with a walk. Brooks Fitch then struck out on a ball that bounced away from the Nordhoff catcher. Fitch reached first safely as Roth scored on the play. As Jason Puklus walked, Van Soelen was thrown out trying to score as ball four got past the catcher.

The Sharks went ahead in the second inning. Michael Gwyn was hit by a pitch. Stephen Williams followed with a single to left. Weinstock drove in Gwyn with his second hit of the day. Roth followed with a single that scored Williams. Weinstock then scored on Daniel Williams’ groundout to short.

Nordhoff tied the game in the top of the third. With one out, Johnson walked two consecutive batters, at which point Coach Gallo called on Roth. A double to deep left scored both Rangers runners, but Roth settled down and retired the next two Nordhoff hitters.

In the bottom of the fourth, Gwyn led off with a single to center. After Stephen Williams popped out to the first baseman, Weinstock and Roth both singled to load the bases. Daniel Williams then lined a 3-1 pitch off the Nordhoff third baseman’s glove to drive in both Gwyn and Weinstock.

Roth ran into trouble in the fifth as Nordhoff put together three hits and a hit batter. A series of groundball outs, however, limited the Rangers to a single run as Roth left three runners stranded.

Stephen Williams reacts to a pop foul.

With the score 7-6, Malibu broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth. Jared Weinstock, batting for Van Soelen, led off with a line drive single to center. After Fitch was hit by a pitch, Jason Puklus loaded the bases with a bunt single. Weinstock was cut down at the plate for the first out of the inning on Gwyn’s fielder’s choice, but a walk to Stephen Williams drove in the first of four runs the Sharks were to score in the inning. After another fielder’s choice resulted in the second out, Roth hit a sharp ground ball to third. A wild throw allowed Roth to reach safely as Gwyn and Williams scored. Daniel Williams then knocked in Weinstock with a sharp ground ball off the chest of the third baseman.

In the top of the seventh, Roth ran into trouble again, but gave up only a single unearned run. With the bases loaded and the tie run at the plate as a result of two Malibu errors, Roth got a groundout to second to end the game.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Sharks and ran their record in the Frontier League to 6-1. Next up for the Sharks is a non-league game against Harvard Westlake tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Nordhoff 4, Sharks 3

The Sharks suffered their third consecutive loss as the Nordhoff High Rangers broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the bottom of the seventh in Ojai on Tuesday. The loss was Malibu's first of the season in Frontier League play.

Brooks Fitch on the mound against Nordhoff.

Nordhoff jumped out to a 2-0 lead off Malibu starter Brooks Fitch with three consecutive singles, a fielder's choice, and an error on a ground ball that might have ended the inning. Malibu countered with two runs in the top of the second on back--to-back doubles by Jamie Van Soelen and Geoff Roth followed by a two-out single by Colbie Bell.

The Sharks had the bases loaded with one out in the fifth but failed to score as Fitch grounded into a 5-2-3 double play. Nordhoff came back in the bottom of the inning and broke the tie on a solo home run over the left field fence.

Malibu tied the game again in the top of the sixth. Van Soelen singled to left and moved to second on the Nordhoff outfielder's error. Roth followed with a single up the middle that drove in Van Soelen.

The Sharks got a runner to third in the top of the seventh with one out but were unable to score. In the bottom of the inning, Fitch walked the first batter, hit the second, and gave up a single to right that scored the game-winning run.

For Malibu, Daniel Williams was three-for-four. Jamie Van Soelen and Geoff Roth were both two-for-three with a double and a single. Brett Weinstock had two sacrifice bunts. Brooks Fitch gave up just two earned runs in six-plus innings on the mound.

Oak Park 5, Sharks 3

The Oak Park Eagles scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to complete a doubleheader sweep at Malibu High on Saturday. Jason Puklus pitched six shutout innings but was unable to retire a batter in the seventh as the Eagles fought back from a 3-0 deficit.

Jason Puklus works against Oak Park in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

The Sharks' frustration from the first game continued in the bottom of the first inning of game two. Daniel Williams led off with a single up the middle. After Brett Weinstock lined out to center, Phil Johnson singled, moving Williams to third. Brooks Fitch flied out to short center. Williams tagged on the play and was called out on a close play at the plate.

The Sharks scored in the third as Colbie Bell led off with a walk and moved to second on Williams' groundout. Weinstock's base hit moved Bell to third. He then scored on Oak Park pitcher Blair Walters' throwing error.

As Puklus continued shutting down the Eagles' lineup, Malibu scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Phil Johnson reached on a error and was erased at second on Jared Weinstock's fielder's choice. A single by Puklus moved Weinstock to second. After Stephen Williams struck out, Jamie Van Soelen walked to load the bases. Alex Beck then singled to right driving in Weinstock and Puklus. The inning ended as Van Soelen was caught at home on an attempted double steal.

Oak Park stormed back in the top of the seventh. Matt Alexander led off with a triple to the right field corner. Puklus then hit Max Rosenberg with a pitch. Ty Muller followed with a double over the head of center fielder Daniel Williams that scored both Alexander and Rosenberg. Muller scored the tying run when Mitch Halpert reached on a throwing error by shortstop Brett Weinstock. Brian Kernochan then drove in Halpert with the go-ahead run on a triple to right center. Geoff Roth came on in relief of Puklus and got Trevor Duffy to ground to first for the first out of the inning. Cory Ott then singled to drive in Kernochan with the fifth run of the inning for the Eagles. Zach Granowitz also singled before Roth retired Chad Standrowicz and Alexander to end Oak Park's half of the seventh.

Facing reliever Brian Kernochan, Malibu was unable to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh. Kernochan pitched three innings and was credited with the win to run his record to 2-1.

Eight different players collected hits for Malibu. Geoff Roth's double in the second inning was the only extra-base hit for the Sharks.

Oak Park 8, Sharks 1

Oak Park's Zack Thornton limited Malibu to five hits in the first game of a doubleheader at Malibu High on Saturday as the Eagles downed the Sharks by a score of 8-1. The loss snapped Malibu's 10-game winning streak and ran Thornton's record to 6-1.

Aaron Westine limited Oak Park to three runs, one of them unearned, in four-and-a-third innings on the mound, but the Sharks squandered scoring opportunities in the third and fourth innings and never held the lead in the game. Five different Malibu hitters collected hits, but Thornton issued no walks and only two baserunners reached on Oak Park errors.

Aaron Westine delivers to Michael Gwyn in the second inning.

After wasting scoring opportunities of their own in the second and third innings, Oak Park got on the board in the fourth as Jake Whitaker walked with one out. Doug Deakin doubled down the right field line sending Whitaker to third. Brian Kernochan's groundout drove in Whitaker with the first run of the game.

Malibu countered with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Phil Johnson led off with an infield single. Brooks Fitch followed with a base hit to right. After Jason Puklus struck out, Jamie Van Soelen singled down the left field line to drive in Johnson. Jared Weinstock then reached safely on Thornton's error, but Thornton pitched out of the bases loaded jam and coasted the rest of the way, retiring the last eleven batters he faced.

Oak Park, meanwhile, scored two more runs off of Westine in the fifth inning. Max Rosenberg led off with a single, advanced to second and third on wild pitches, and, with Jared Weinstock on the mound in relief of Westine, scored on a passed ball. Matt Alexander, who walked before Westine was lifted, scored on a sacrifice fly when Sharks left fielder Jamie Van Soelen made a diving catch of a line drive off the bat of Ty Muller.

The Eagles scored five runs in the top of the seventh. Sophomore southpaw Jared Weinstock allowed a base hit by Rosenberg and then walked Chad Standrowicz and Matt Alexander before being relieved by Colbie Bell. Rosenberg scored on Ty Muller's sacrifice fly and Jake Whitaker drove in Standrowicz and Alexander with a single to center. With two outs in the inning, Whitaker scored as Brian Kernochan reached on an error. Bell hit Zach Granowitz with a pitch and the scoring was completed when Cory Ott drove in Kernochan with a base hit.

Brett Weinstock, Phil Johnson, Brooks Fitch, and Jamie Van Soelen had singles for the Sharks. Michael Gwyn had Malibu's only extra-base hit, a double to deep center in the third inning.

Aaron Westine, who took the loss, is now 2-1 on the season with a 3.00 ERA.

The End of the Streak

The Oak Park Eagles made the seventh inning their big inning twice, scoring five times in the seventh in both games of a doubleheader as they ended the Sharks' ten-game winning streak with a sweep, 8-1 and 5-3. Please check back later for a complete report and photos.

Sharks 13, Santa Paula 8

The Sharks scored five runs in the first inning and six in the fifth en route to a 13-8 victory over the Santa Paula Cardinals on Friday. Geoff Roth and Brett Weinstock both had three hits to pace Malibu's 14-hit attack.

In the top of the first, Daniel Williams led off with a single just to the left of second base. Brett Weinstock followed with a base hit. Phil Johnson then doubled to drive in Williams. After Brooks Fitch struck out, Jason Puklus singled to knock in Weinstock. Jamie Van Soelen's double scored Johnson and Puklus. Jared Weinstock grounded to short for the second out of the inning, then Geoff Roth doubled to drive in Van Soelen with the Sharks' fifth run.

Santa Paul scored one run in the bottom of the first. Johnny Carrillo walked, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored one out later on a single by Michael Cortez.

Cortez, pitching for the Cardinals, kept the Malibu bats quiet through the second, third, and fourth innings. Meanwhile, Santa Paula picked up a second run in the third inning, once again using the combination of a walk to Carrillo and a RBI by Cortez.

Jamie Van Soelen

Malibu's bats came alive again in the fifth inning. Williams led off with a double to right centerfield. Weinstock drove him in on the next pitch with a base hit to left. Johnson reached first and Weinstock advanced to second on a throwing error by the Cardinals' first baseman. After Brooks Fitch grounded into a fielders' choice with Johnson erased at second for the first out, Jason Puklus lifted a fly to center that scored Weinstock. Van Soelen then singled to left and Jared Weinstock walked to load the bases. Roth singled to knock in Fitch and Van Soelen. Stephen Williams completed the barrage with a double to left center that scored Weinstock and Roth.

Philip Johnson

With the score 11-2, Santa Paula fought back in the bottom of the fifth. Anthony Lopez singled and stole second. After Cortez lined out to Van Soelen in left, Eddie Delgadillo doubled to left center to score Lopez. A throwing error allowed Delgadillo to score as Randy Aguilera reached first. Catcher Toby Baca singled to left. Jesus Diaz flied to Roth in right. Daniel Alamillo and Travis McClain followed with base hits. Alamillo's single knocked in Aguilera and Baca. Geoff Roth relieved starter Phil Johnson on the mound. Carrillo then walked for the third time to load the bases. Lopez singled to drive in Alamillo and McClain with the Cardinals' seventh and eighth runs before Roth struck out Cortez for the third out of the inning.

Alex Beck

Malibu scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. A single by Brooks Fitch drove in Brett Weinstock in the sixth inning. In the seventh, Roth singled and scored on Weinstock's double down the third base line.

Roth allowed one base runner in both the sixth and seventh innings, but preserved the lead that he inherited when he entered in the fifth inning. Johnson was credited with the win, his third of the season.

Schedule Update

The starting time for the first game of tomorrow's doubleheader against Oak Park has been changed to 10:00 a.m.

Scouting Report: Oak Park Eagles

The Oak Park Eagles will visit Malibu High tomorrow for a non-league doubleheader against the Sharks. The Eagles are 8-3 overall and 2-0 in the Tri-Valley League following impressive home wins last week against Fillmore (20-2) on Wednesday and Carpinteria (14-4) on Friday.

Sophomore third baseman Chad Standrowicz was 4-for-8 in the two games with a total of 11 RBIs. Against Carpinteria, he had a career day with three homeruns and eight RBIs.

Senior catcher Max Rosenberg leads Oak Park hitters with a .462 average. Junior second baseman Cory Ott is second with a .432 mark.

Junior Zack Thornton has started six of Oak Park's eleven games this season and has a 5-1 record with a 1.40 ERA. Thornton averages five innings per start and one strikeout per inning. He has allowed only sixteen hits in his six starts. Senior Brian Kernochan (1-1, 6.72 ERA) is the Eagles' number two starter. Kernochan was the winning pitcher in last Friday's game against Carpinteria.

As team, Oak Park has a .343 batting average with five homeruns. On the bases, the Eagles are 6-for-11 in steal attempts.

The first game of the doubleheader tomorrow begins at 11:00 a.m.

No Day at the Beach

The home plate umpire takes a foul ball in the stomach off the bat of Jared Weinstock in the seventh inning of last Friday's game against Oaks Christian.

Photo Update

Some photos have now been added to the story about Tuesday's game against Santa Paula.

The Heart and Mind of America

From Coach Gallo comes this great quotation:

Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the rules and realities of the game, and do it first by watching some high school or small town teams. The big league games are too fast for the beginner and the newspapers don't help. To read them with profit you have to know a language that comes easy only after philosophy has taught you to judge practice. Here is scholarship that takes effort on the part of the outsider, but it is so bred into the native that it never becomes a dreary round of technicalities.

--Jacques Barzun, Professor of History, Columbia University

Tim Wiles, Director of Research at the Baseball Hall of Fame, used to write an on-line column called "Letters in the Dirt" that examined various topics related to baseball and culture. Sadly, the column appears to have been discontinued after March 2000, but archived columns are still available. In the "Letters in the Dirt" archive there are two brief essays about Barzun's love of his adopted game and his adopted country that take as their starting point this quotation. You can find them here and here. (Wiles goes on in a third essay to convey Barzun's view of the comparison between baseball and cricket.)

Speaking of the Baseball Hall of Fame, you can get the quotation (or part of it, anyway) on a T-shirt through the Hall of Fame Museum Shop.

In the News

There's a great article in this week's Malibu Times by Kevin Connelly about Malibu's 9-8 victory over Oaks Christian last Friday. Check it out on-line here or pick up a copy at the newsstand.

Down on the Farm

The Malibu Sharks sit atop the Pony American Division in the Agoura Pony Baseball League with a 5-1 record. The next game for Coach Mark Conrad's team is on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Bluffs Park against the Westlake Red Sox. . . . On Saturday, Michael Ciniglio (Malibu Little League Dodgers) hit his first homerun, a grand slam in the sixth inning to bring the Dodgers back from a 5-1 deficit against the Angels. The game ended in a 5-5 tie after seven innings. The Dodgers and Giants play today on the Major Field at Bluffs Park.

A Weak Schedule?

We know the Vasquez Mustangs are a good team (although a lot of people at Malibu High would like to have another shot at them after they downed the Sharks 7-1 in the opener of the Daily News-Victory Invitational Tournament), but this is ridiculous: The Mustangs have won their last four games by scores of 26-0, 32-0, 11-0, and 42-2.

Second in the State

Here are the top three hitters in California, according to Max Preps:

1. Dominic Di Ricco, Menlo-Atherton (.659)
2. Daniel Williams, Malibu (.649)
3. China McCarney, Vasquez (.638)

Sharks 17, Santa Paula 4

The Sharks, powered by Daniel Williams’s five hits and Jamie Van Soelen’s third homerun of the season, took over sole possession of first place in the Frontier League with a 17-4 win over Santa Paula today at Malibu High. The win was Malibu’s ninth in a row.

Malibu started strong with Williams leading off with a single to center and moving to third on Brett Weinstock’s base hit up the middle. Phil Johnson followed with a ground-rule double that bounced over the right field fence to score Williams and move Weinstock to third. Brooks Fitch followed with the first of his three sacrifice flies on the day to knock in Weinstock with the Sharks’ second run.

In the bottom of the second, Jared Weinstock led off with a walk. After Geoff Roth popped out, Colbie Bell grounded sharply to second. Weinstock and Bell were both safe as the toss from the Cardinals’ second baseman pulled the shortstop off the bag. Williams then loaded the bases with a line-drive single to left. Brett Weinstock and Phil Johnson followed with RBI walks and Fitch drove in the third run of the inning with his second sacrifice fly.

Rudy Gamez, who came on in relief of Santa Paula starter Anthony Bavero in the second inning, retired the Sharks in order in the third, but Malibu added five more runs in the fourth inning. With one out, Williams doubled down the left field line. After Weinstock fouled out, Johnson and Fitch walked to load the bases. Jason Puklus followed with a single to center that drove in Williams and Johnson. Fitch also came around to score when the Santa Paula center fielder misplayed the ball. Two pitches later, Van Soelen drove a fastball from Gamez over the fence in left to cap the rally.

Stephen Williams, pinch-hitting for Bell, led off the fifth inning with a single to center. Daniel Williams followed with his fourth hit of the day, a bloop single down the right field line. Weinstock bunted to move the Williams brothers to second and third. Phil Johnson was hit by a pitch to load the bases setting the stage for Fitch’s third sacrifice fly of the game, a drive to left that scored Stephen Williams.

In the bottom of the sixth, Michael Gwyn and Geoff Roth both singled with one out. Colbie Bell followed with a two-run double to the gap in right center. Daniel Williams singled to right and Brett Weinstock followed with a double that knocked in Bell. Phil Johnson walked to load the bases. After Fitch popped out to second, Jason Puklus drove in Williams with a base hit. Van Soelen followed with a walk that drove in Weinstock. Gwyn’s second hit of the day scored Johnson with the sixth run of the inning and the seventeenth of the game for the Sharks.

Brooks Fitch turned in a strong performance on the mound with a complete-game, six-strikeout performance to run his record to 3-1 on the season. He surrendered single runs in the third and seventh innings along with two unearned runs in the fourth.

For Santa Paula, Michael Cortez and Anthony Lopez each had two hits. Cortez also drove in two runs for the Cardinals.

The Sharks and Cardinals meet again on Friday in Santa Paula.

Co-Captains

On Wednesday, Coach Paul Gallo named senior shortstop Jason Puklus and senior center fielder Daniel Williams co-captains of the Sharks.

Poll-Watching

The latest CIF Southern Section Division V baseball poll once again lists Malibu close to the top ten--listed but unranked. LA Baptist has taken over the top spot and Saturday's opponent--Oak Park--has climbed to fifth.

Scouting Report: Santa Paula Cardinals

Santa Paula visits the Sharks tomorrow tied for first in the Frontier League. The Cardinals are 3-0 in league play with two wins over Santa Clara and one over Oaks Christian. Overall, Santa Paula is 6-8.

The Cardinals are led by seniors Randy Aguilera (.429 BA, 6 doubles) and Eddie Delgadillo (.400 BA, 10 RBIs). Rudy Gamez (1-1, 3.77 ERA) is the workhorse of the Cardinals' pitching staff. Gamez and senior Michael Cortez have each started four games for Santa Paula.

The Cardinals run at every opportunity. Through fourteen games, they have 37 stolen bases in 50 attempts. Ten different players have stolen bases. Johnny Carrillo leads the team with nine steals in eleven attempts.

Last year, the Sharks won each of their three games against the Cardinals, including a 20-13 win at Santa Paula on April 30 in which Brooks Fitch drove in six runs with a double and a homerun. Fitch had a total of eleven RBIs against Santa Paula last season.

What Lights You Up

Baseball is what gets inside you. It's what lights you up. You can't deny that. It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great.

--Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) to Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) in the movie A League of Their Own

JV Update: Sharks 10, Montclair Prep 0

Jacob Perrin pitched a no-hitter to give the Sharks JV team its first win of the season on Saturday against Montclair Prep. Malibu's bats also came alive as the Sharks scored ten runs in a game shortened by the mercy rule.

Ross Ellis was 3-for-3 and Sloan Campi hit an inside-the-park homerun. Johnny Ottusch had three hits and knocked in two runs. Perrin helped himself with four RBIs.

Perrin, making his first start of the season, said, "I didn't even really know what was happening until the coaches told me. I didn't know we had mercied them and when they said I had thrown a no-hitter it was a little surreal."

The next game for the Sharks JV team will be on Tuesday at Santa Paula.

Sharks 5, Montclair Prep 4

With the Sharks trailing 3-2 in the sixth inning, Daniel Williams blasted a three-run homer to put the Sharks ahead in what ended as a 5-4 win over seventh-ranked Montclair Prep. Williams was two for three with two runs scored and a stolen base as he raised his league-leading batting average to .594 and his slugging percentage to .938.

For the first four innings Aaron Westine and Montclair's Michael Trump were involved in a pitching duel. Malibu got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning when Williams led off with a walk, stole second, and scored when Brooks Fitch doubled to left with two outs. Montclair Prep answered with a run in the bottom of the second, but Westine got out of a bases-loaded jam in the third and left the game after four innings with the score tied, 1-1.

Montclair Prep took the lead in the fifth inning. Colbie Bell, on in relief of Westine, struck out the side, but two infield errors and a single produced two unearned runs for the Mounties.

In the top of the sixth, Alex Beck led off with a single to right field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Geoff Roth popped out to the second baseman, Bell grounded to third. A wild throw ended up out of play bringing Beck in to score the second run of the game for Malibu. Stephen Williams followed with a walk, setting the stage for his older brother's big hit. On the first pitch from Trump, Williams drove the ball over the centerfield fence to put Malibu in the lead for good.

In the bottom of the sixth, Bell gave way to closer Geoff Roth following a one-out walk. Roth struck out both batters he faced in the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Roth gave up a leadoff single before getting two groundballs that were turned into outs at second base. The second fielder's choice left the batter on second as Jason Puklus's throw to first in an effort to complete the double play was wide of the mark. One run scored on a single to right, but Roth closed off the rally with a strikeout.

For Malibu, Michael Gwyn and Alex Beck both had two hits. Jason Puklus stole two bases on the day and Brooks Fitch got his first stolen base of the season.

Next up for the Sharks is a league game against Santa Paula on Tuesday afternoon in Malibu.

Sharks 9, Oaks Christian 8

Brett Weinstock knocked in two runs in the bottom of the seventh with a double off the fence in left field to cap the Sharks' dramatic comeback against Oaks Christian at Malibu High on Friday. With Oaks Christian leading 8-7, Geoff Roth drew a one-out walk off Lions closer Joe Dembesky. After Stephen Williams struck out, Daniel Williams singled to center to move Roth to third. Weinstock was down to his last strike when he lined a fastball over the left fielder's head to drive in Roth and Williams.

The game see-sawed back and forth all afternoon. The Lions took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a Chris Potter single and a run-scoring double by Tim Johnston squeezed between three strikeouts. Malibu answered in the bottom of the first. Daniel Williams led off with a double down the right field line and scored on Brett Weinstock's single through the middle of the infield. The Sharks subsequently loaded the bases with no outs on an error and a walk, but failed to score again when Jason Puklus popped out to short center field and Jamie Van Soelen lined into an unassisted double play by the Oaks third baseman.

Malibu picked up a single run in the second as Jared Weinstock led off with a double, advanced to third one out later when Stephen Williams reached on an infield error, and scored on Daniel Williams' single to right. Oaks followed with three runs to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the third. Sharks starter Phil Johnson gave up two hits and four walks in the inning but managed to strike out pinch hitter Casey Lee with the bases loaded to minimize the damage.

The Sharks climbed back on top in the bottom of the fourth. After Geoff Roth grounded out, Stephen Williams drove the first pitch from Tim Johnston over the fence in left center for his first homerun of the year. Daniel Williams followed with a double to right center. One out later, Phil Johnson doubled deep to right to drive in Williams. Brooks Fitch followed with his second homerun of the year, a line drive that wrapped around the foul pole in left and put the Sharks on top, 6-4.

Daniel Williams doubles in the Sharks' four-run fourth inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Oaks took the lead again. Joey Navarro and Chris Potter started the inning with base hits. Jason Puklus came on at that point to relieve Johnson. After Potter stole second, Puklus struck out Johnston. Oaks DH Chris Auten was intentionally walked to load the bases before Joe Dembesky followed with a base-clearing double. He scored the fourth run of the inning on Jimmy Dunn's infield hit.

The Sharks, down 8-6, got one run back in the bottom of the sixth as Stephen Williams and Brett Weinstock both reached on errors. Johnson's single up the middle scored Williams, but Malibu was unable to get any more runs in the inning.

Geoff Roth waits for the sign in the top of the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, Geoff Roth kept the Lions close to set up the dramatic conclusion. Chris Potter tripled with two outs in the inning, but Roth, who was the winning pitcher, got Johnston to ground out to end the inning.

Malibu pounded out twelve hits on the day, including homeruns by Brooks Fitch and Stephen Williams and doubles by Daniel Williams (2), Brett Weinstock, Phil Johnson, and Jared Weinstock.

Scouting Report: Oaks Christian Lions (II)

The Sharks enter Friday's rematch with Oaks Christian with a 6-2 record. Oaks is 4-9. Malibu is atop the Frontier League, tied with Santa Paula at 2-0. Malibu and Santa Paula play twice next week.

Phil Johnson is expected to take the mound for the Sharks today. Johnson is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA. He scattered three hits over five innings in his last start on March 15 against Nordhoff in Malibu.

Over the last four games, Jamie Van Soelen is 6 for 8 with 2 homeruns and 9 RBIs. In that stretch, his average has climbed from .250 to .450.

Post-Game Notes (April 5)

Six Sharks players scored at least two runs each at Oaks Christian on Tuesday. . . . Through eight games, Daniel Williams (29 plate appearances), Jared Weinstock (11 PAs), and Wesley Semkin (2 PAs) are the only Sharks who have not struck out. . . . Adding walks, hit batters, and hits and dividing the total by the number of innings pitched yields the WHIP percentage. Through eight games, the WHIPs for Malibu's pitchers look like this: 1. Phil Johnson--1.09; 2. Geoff Roth--1.22; 3. Brooks Fitch--1.26; 4. Jason Puklus--1.37; and 5. Aaron Westine--1.88. . . . The top five in run production (runs scored plus RBIs divided by at bats): 1. Jamie Van Soelen--1.000; 2. Phil Johnson--0.944; 3. Colbie Bell--0.917; 4. Jason Puklus--0.800; (tie) 5. Brett Weinstock--0.750; (tie) 5. Daniel Williams--0.750.

Sharks 14, Oaks Christian 6

Daniel Williams, who homered in the second inning, and Jamie Van Soelen, who homered in the third and sixth innings, following Malibu's win over Oaks Christian.

The Sharks had two homeruns from Jamie Van Soelen and one from Daniel Williams in a 14-6 win over Frontier League rival Oaks Christian. It was Malibu's sixth consecutive victory and fourth consecutive game scoring ten or more runs.

The Sharks jumped out to an early lead when Daniel Williams led off the top of the first with a single to center, moved to second on Brett Weinstock's sacrifice bunt, tagged and advanced to third on Phil Johnson's foul out down the right field line, and scored on a wild pitch with Brooks Fitch at the plate. The scoring picked up in the second inning as Jason Puklus and Jamie Van Soelen walked and Michael Gwyn sacrificed to move them into scoring position. Geoff Roth followed with a sharply hit ball that Oaks shortstop Jimmy Dunn fielded and threw over first baseman Tim Johnston. Puklus scored on the play but Van Soelen was thrown out trying to score from second. Colbie Bell followed with a double to right center that drove in Roth. Williams followed with his first homerun of the season, a drive deep to left, to complete the four-run inning.

Van Soelen accounted for the Sharks' scoring in the third. With two out and Puklus on first, Van Soelen drove a 2-0 pitch deep over the fence in left field for his first homerun of the season.

Oaks Christian struggled to get back into the game in the bottom of the third. Chris Potter led off the inning with a homerun to left. Tim Johnston followed with a single to center. He scored when Joe Dembesky delivered a double to left center. After Casey Lee walked and Matt Ramirez singled to load the bases, Louis Vozzo drove in the Lions' third run with a ground ball to short. Fitch then struck out Taylor Cox to end the inning.

Malibu batted around and scored four more runs in the fourth inning. Roth and Bell started the inning with base hits. Williams followed with a walk to load the bases. Weinstock and Johnson also walked to drive in the Sharks' eighth and ninth runs of the game. Two more runs scored when a sharp ground ball down the line was misplayed by the Lions' third baseman. After Puklus walked to load the bases again, Van Soelen was retired for the only time in the game on an infield fly and Gwyn ended the inning on a 4-6-3 double play.

In the fifth, Jared Weinstock, in the game for Bell, singled to center with one out. Williams replaced him on a fielder's choice and stole second. Brett Weinstock followed with a walk and Johnson drove in both Williams and Weinstock with a triple to the deepest part of the ballpark in center field.

Oaks Christian countered with a single run in the bottom of the fifth when Ryan Haddock doubled in Casey Lee as Williams attempted a sliding catch in center.

In the top of the sixth, Van Soelen capped the scoring for the Sharks with his second homerun of the day, another shot deep to left.

Sharks second baseman Brett Weinstock waits on a pitch in the seventh inning.

The Lions got two runs in the bottom of the sixth off Malibu closer Geoff Roth. Joey Navarro led off with a triple and scored on Potter's sacrifice fly. One out later, Dembesky walked, moved to third on Alex Blackmon's double, and scored on a single by Dunn.

Brooks Fitch picked up the win for Malibu, his second on the season. Fitch had seven strikeouts and five walks in five innings of work. Geoff Roth struck out two in two innings of work to close out the game.

The Sharks and Lions face off again on Friday at Malibu High. Game time is 3:30 p.m.

Scouting Report: Oaks Christian Lions

Oaks Christian enters tomorrow's game against the Sharks with a 4-8 record. In a Frontier League game at Santa Paula today, the Lions were downed 11-5 when Santa Paula scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie.

Coach Mike Maio's team began the season with a 2-3 record in the Easton Southern California Showdown. Over spring break, the Lions posted a 1-2 record in the Righetti High tournament. Three weeks ago, Oaks began league play with a 10-2 win over Santa Clara.

Post-Game Notes (April 2)

Brooks Fitch has 22 strikeouts in 14 innings on the mound this season. . . . Freshman Stephen Williams, playing in his fourth varsity game of the season, had his second two-hit game. He's five-for-nine with the varsity thus far. . . . Ross Ellis and Jacob Perrin got their first varsity experience this season in Saturday's game. . . . Daniel Williams picked up three stolen bases against Kilpatrick. . . . Coach Gallo used a total of 18 players in the game on Saturday. . . . Geoff Roth worked out of a one-out, bases loaded jam in the seventh inning to preserve his perfect ERA.

Sharks 10, Kilpatrick 3

Malibu defeated the Kilpatrick Mustangs 10-3 on Saturday in a game rescheduled after a rainout on March 19.

The Sharks scored four runs in the first, five in the fourth, and one in the fifth en route to their fifth consecutive victory.

The scoring began in the bottom of the first when Daniel Williams reached on an error, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball before Brett Weinstock followed with a walk. After Phil Johnson grounded out, advancing Weinstock to second, Brooks Fitch lined a 2-2 pitch deep into the left-centerfield gap for a two-run double. Jason Puklus walked and Jamie Van Soelen lined another two-run double over the centerfielder’s head to wrap up the first-inning scoring.

In the fourth inning, Geoff Roth led off with a walk. After Michael Gwyn lined out to the centerfielder, Roth stole second. Stephen Williams then beat out an infield hit. Roth scored when the Kilpatrick first baseman let the throw get away on the play. Daniel Williams followed with a grounder to the pitcher on a hit-and-run play that erased his brother at second. Williams then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. The bases were loaded when Weinstock walked and Johnson was hit by a pitch. Colbie Bell grounded to the third baseman, but a wild throw to second allowed both Williams and Weinstock to score. With Puklus at the plate, Johnson scored on a wild pitch. Puklus then walked and Alex Beck, batting for Van Soelen, singled to right to drive in Bell with the fourth run of the inning.

Stephen Williams scored the Sharks’ final run after a one-out triple to left when Phil Johnson lifted a sacrifice fly to right after Daniel Williams and Brett Weinstock had walked to load the bases.

The Sharks got strong pitching performances from Brooks Fitch, Aaron Westine, Phil Johnson, and Geoff Roth. Fitch struck out five in two innings of work. Westine recorded one strikeout in two innings. Johnson struck out four in two innings and Roth struck out two, both with the bases loaded, as he closed out the seventh inning.

Next up for the Sharks is a Frontier League matchup at Oaks Christian on Tuesday afternoon.

Remembering Sidd Finch

It was twenty years ago today that the late George Plimpton, writing in Sports Illustrated, broke the story of Sidd Finch, the New York Mets pitching prospect with a 168-mph fastball. Today's New York Times tells where Finch has been all these years.

Rainout Rescheduled

The game against Kilpatrick that was rained out on March 19 has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 2. Game time will be 11:00 a.m.

Back to Work

Practices resume on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

Uecker's Memorable Moment

When asked what he considered the highlight of his major league career, Bob Uecker said, "I walked with the bases loaded to drive in the winning run in an intrasquad game in spring training."

Saturday Workout

The Sharks' workout today is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the high school.

Knocking on the Door

From Coach Gallo and the Malibu High School Baseball web site comes word that the Sharks are knocking on the door of a top ten ranking. To see the poll rankings, go to the CIF Southern Section web site, click on "Polls," and look for Division V Baseball.

SoCal Batting Leaders

Today's Los Angeles Times (Sports, page D8) lists Daniel Williams in a tie for 25th in batting average among Southern California high school players. Williams is hitting .588 (10 for 17).

(Malibu's nemesis in the first game of the season leads all SoCal pitchers in strikeouts.)

Baseball Links

With a gap in the schedule, this might be a good time to mention the mother of all baseball web sites, John Skilton's baseball-links.com. As of today, there are 11,499 baseball-related links on this site. (I'm hoping Sharks Baseball will be 11,500.)

Rained Out

Yesterday's game at Santa Clara and today's home game against Kilpatrick have been rained out. No make-up dates have been announced.

Meanwhile, MHS is on spring break. The next scheduled game for the Sharks is on Tuesday, April 5, at Oaks Christian.

Steroids

It seems like a good time to bring back one of Letterman's Top Ten Lists from last season.

Top Ten Signs A Baseball Player Is Using Steroids

10. This year he broke the home run record, last year he was a cellist.

9. Only signs autographs in exchange for clean urine sample.

8. Requests salary be paid in Balco gift certificates.

7. That guy who looks like the Phillie Phanatic is actually your shortstop.

6. Whenever team wins, dumps tub of Creatine on manager.

5. Exhibits erratic behavior like chewing on foul pole.

4. Can spit sunflower seeds 95 miles per hour.

3. Rush Limbaugh points at him and says, "That dude's messed up."

2. George Steinbrenner is scared of him.

1. Makes Schwarzenegger look like Carrot Top.

The Two Saddest Words

What are the two saddest words in the English language?

• I'm leaving?
• It's over?
• You're fired?
• You flunked?
• Lassie's dead?
• Michael's innocent?
• Bush won?

Nope. The two saddest words in the English language are RAINED OUT.

Mystery Solved

Several of us were thinking the signature might be Nolan Ryan's. But here's what that would look like:

This, on the other hand, looks more like the mystery signature in the earlier post.

It's Mark McGwire.

On the Ball

A friend and colleague has an American League baseball with a signature that the resident experts here at Pepperdine are unable to identify. Here's the ball. Leave a comment if you know whose signature is on it.

Sharks 13, Nordhoff 1

The Sharks began Frontier League play today against Nordhoff in the same way they closed out the Daily News-Victory Invitational tournament: with relentless hitting and dominating pitching. Phil Johnson gave up just one run on three hits in five innings on the mound and blasted a two-run homer in the third inning to lead Malibu to a 13-1 victory.

Nine different players notched base hits as the Sharks scored five runs in the first, three in the third, one in the fourth, and two each in the fifth and sixth innings. Meanwhile, Johnson was scattering three hits, four walks, and a hit batter. He got defensive help at several points. After Nordhoff’s lead-off hitter reached on a base hit, Michael Gwyn caught him stealing second. The second hitter walked and was promptly picked off first by Johnson.

In the top of the second, with two on and nobody out, the Nordhoff hitter lined a pitch to Brooks Fitch at first base. Fitch stepped on first to double up the runner.

The scoring got under way for the Sharks in the first inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Jamie Van Soelen lined a single to right field to knock in Brett Weinstock and Phil Johnson. Jared Weinstock then singled to plate Jason Puklus. After Geoff Roth walked, Colbie Bell drove in the fourth run of the inning with a walk that ended the day for the Nordhoff starter. Daniel Williams then hit a bad-hop single to first to drive in Jared Weinstock and complete the scoring.

The third inning provided the most dramatic moments of the game. After two quick outs, Daniel Williams dropped a perfect bunt down the third base line for a base hit. With Brett Weinstock at the plate, Williams advanced to second and third on wild pitches. Then, with a 3-0 count on Weinstock, Williams stole home on ball four. After Weinstock stole second, Phil Johnson launched a 3-2 pitch deep to right for his first home run of the season.

The Sharks scored one in the fourth when a double by Bell knocked in Jamie Van Soelen who had reached on a walk. Van Soelen drove in two runs in the fifth with a single that chased home Fitch, who had walked, and Puklus, who had doubled down the right field line.

In the sixth, a lead-off walk by Gwyn and consecutive singles by Roth, George Azzi, and Williams led to two more runs.

Roth closed out the game on the mound with two scoreless innings in relief of Johnson. He entered in style, striking out the first four batters he faced.

On the day, Williams was 3-for-4 with a walk and the steal of home. Van Soelen was 2-for-2 with two walks and four RBIs. Johnson was 1-for-5 with a homerun, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Fitch, Puklus, and Roth were all 1-for-3. Jared Weinstock and Bell were 1-for-2, and Azzi was 1-for-1.

Scouting Report: Nordhoff Rangers

The Sharks face the Nordhoff Rangers tomorrow afternoon at Malibu High in their first league contest of the year. Nordhoff (1-1) is coming off a 11-0 victory over Santa Clara in a game played in Ojai on Friday. The Sharks (3-2) are riding a three-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents 34-2.

Phil Johnson will be on the hill for Malibu. Game time is 3:30 p.m.

Sharks 16, Reseda 1

Aaron Westine pitched a complete-game one-hitter and the Sharks pounded out seventeen hits en route to a 16-1 victory over the Reseda Regents in the final game of the Daily News-Victory Invitational for both teams. Jason Puklus and Brett Weinstock led the offensive onslaught for the Sharks. Puklus was 3-for-3 with five RBIs, including a towering home run in the second inning that broke the game open. Weinstock was 4-for-5 with four RBIs.

Although Westine, who walked six and hit three batters, struggled with his control throughout the game, after the first inning he always managed to come up with a big pitch to keep the Regents from scoring. In the second, third, and fourth innings, Westine closed out the inning with a strikeout with two runners on base. His best inning was the fifth and final inning of the game when he retired Reseda in order on just ten pitches.

Malibu started quickly and kept the hitting going until the end, scoring at least two runs in every inning. Daniel Williams led off the first with a double down the left field line. After Brett Weinstock was retired for the only time in the game, Phil Johnson picked up the first of his two hits of the day driving in Williams. Puklus followed with a double to the right-center field gap, scoring Johnson. Two batters later, Jared Weinstock got his first varsity hit, a single to right, to knock in Puklus with the third run in the opening frame.

In the second inning, Stephen Williams led off with a single through the left side of the infield. Colbie Bell then reached on a bunt. After Daniel Williams fouled out, Brett Weinstock plated Stephen Williams with a bunt single. Johnson followed with a double that drove in Bell. Then, on a 2-2 pitch, Puklus homered over the football stands beyond the right field fence.

Stephen Williams led off the third with a double. Bell then walked. With one out, Brett Weinstock drove in Williams for the second time on the second of his four hits. After Johnson flied to center, Puklus drove in Bell with a single to left.

In the fourth, Jared Weinstock led off with a single to left. Alex Beck walked. One out later, George Azzi knocked in Weinstock with a single to right. Jamie Van Soelen singled to load the bases. Brett Weinstock singled in Beck and Azzi scored when Johnson grounded to second. Van Soelen scored the fourth run of the inning on a wild pitch.

The fifteenth and sixteenth runs for Malibu came in the fifth inning when Brett Weinstock knocked in Jared Weinstock, who reached on his third hit of the day, and George Azzi, who reached on a fielder’s choice after Michael Gwyn had walked, with a double to the fence in left.

Defensively, the Sharks played error-free ball for the first time this season and turned a double play to help Westine erase a leadoff walk in the second inning.

Scouting Report: Reseda High Regents

Reseda High enters the final game of the Daily News-Victory Invitational with a 1-4 record. The Regents have suffered three one-run losses--to Taft (4-3) and twice to Fillmore (2-1, 2-1). The victory came at North Hollywood last Saturday.

South Gate shut out Reseda, 5-0, in the Regents' season opener on March 2. South Gate pitcher Isaac Morales, who earned a save in the 5-4 extra-inning win over Malibu on March 5, struck out thirteen Reseda hitters.

Last season, Reseda finished with a season record of 4-22. Two of the wins came against Canoga Park.

JV Score: Sylmar 6, Malibu 2

The Sharks JV squad lost to Sylmar, 6-2, in a non-league game on Thursday. Jared Weinstock pitched effectively but was unable to overcome the effect of numerous defensive lapses. Stephen Williams tripled to knock in one run and later scored in the first inning, but after that the Sharks were unable to get timely hits.

Malibu hosts Fillmore on Saturday in the JV team's final game before starting league play on Tuesday at Nordhoff.

Post-Game Notes (March 10)

After making at least three errors in each of the three previous games, the Sharks committed only one error--on a foul ball--against Glendale. . . . Brett Weinstock has two hits on the season thus far. Both have hit the left field fence on the fly. . . . Jason Puklus had two of the hardest hit balls of the day for the Sharks, but both were line drives right at Glendale fielders. . . . Brooks Fitch struck out the side in the fourth and sixth innings. Two of the four hits he allowed in the game were infield singles.

Daily News-Victory Invitational Update

The Sharks will play their final game in the Daily News-Victory Invitational tomorrow against the Reseda Regents at Reseda High. Game time is 2:00 p.m.

The Regents (1-4) are coming off a 4-3 loss to Taft in a game played yesterday at Taft High. Malibu is riding a two-game winning streak having defeated Marshall by a score of 13-1 on Monday and Glendale by a 5-0 score yesterday.

For directions to Reseda High, go here.

Sharks 5, Glendale 0

Brooks Fitch struck out 12 in a complete-game four-hit shutout today over the Glendale Nitros. The Sharks got the only run they would need in the bottom of the first, but scored four more times in the second inning before coasting offensively the rest of the way.

Daniel Williams led off for the Sharks with a walk, stole second, advanced to third when Greg Kernodle reached on an error, and scored when Fitch grounded out to third. In the second inning, Jamie Van Soelen led off with a base hit up the middle. Geoff Roth followed with a hit and Alex Beck reached on an error that scored Van Soelen. Colbie Bell then doubled down the left field line driving in Roth and Beck. Brett Weinstock closed out the scoring with a double off the base of the fence in left.

After Weinstock's double in the second, Glendale retired fourteen Sharks in a row before Roth singled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Roth was the only player for the Sharks to pick up two hits in the game.

Tomorrow's Game

The Sharks take on the Glendale Nitros tomorrow at Malibu High in the fourth game of the Daily News-Victory Invitational Tournament. On Monday, Glendale lost to Burbank, a team that went 1-22 last season, by a score of 3-0. After the game, Nitros manager Jay Chadwick noted that his team lacks power in the middle of the lineup. Glendale had five hits in the game, two by Chris Perez.

Meanwhile, the Sharks are coming off a 13-1 victory over the Marshall Barristers.

Game time is 3:00 p.m. Tickets are still available at the box office.

Post-Game Notes (March 7)

Brooks Fitch was 3-for-3 with a homerun, a double, and a single. . . . Daniel Williams was also 3-for-3. He had two doubles (both in the first inning) and a single just one day after running the LA Marathon. . . . Jason Puklus was 2-for-2 with a walk and three runs scored. . . . Greg Kernodle and Stephen Williams both had their first hits of the season. . . . Five of the seven strikeouts Phil Johnson recorded in the four innings he pitched came in the first two innings. He struck out the side in the second, but also walked two and gave up a single in the inning. . . . The Sharks begin Frontier League play on March 15 with a home game against the Nordhoff Rangers.

Sharks 13, Marshall 1

Phil Johnson (29) delivers in the fourth inning as Colbie Bell (1) covers at first.

A fourteen-hit offensive outburst and solid pitching propelled the Sharks to their first win of the season, a 13-1 victory over the Marshall Barristers.

Daniel Williams led off the bottom of the first with a double to the warning track in left field. After advancing to third on Geoff Roth's groundout, Williams scored on a hard grounder by Phil Johnson that was misplayed by the Marshall first baseman. After Brooks Fitch and Jason Puklus singled to load the bases, Jamie Van Soelen launched the second double of the inning, driving in Johnson and Fitch. Michael Gwyn knocked in Puklus with a grounder to short. After Stephen Williams walked, Brett Weinstock drove the first pitch off the top of the fence in left, missing a home run by two feet. Van Soelen scored and Williams moved to third. After Williams scored on an errant pickoff attempt by the Barristers' catcher, Daniel Williams got his second double of the inning to drive in Weinstock with the seventh run of the game for Malibu.

The runs kept coming in the second inning. After Johnson led off with a single to right, Fitch launched his first homerun of the year--a towering shot to left. Puklus then walked and moved to second when Van Soelen reached on an error. After Gwyn and Stephen Williams struck out, Weinstock reached on an error by the third baseman as Puklus scored. Daniel Williams then singled to drive in Van Soelen with the fourth and final run of the inning.

The Sharks scored two more runs in the third inning. Fitch hit a one-out double. Colbie Bell, running for Fitch, scored on Puklus's single to left. After Van Soelen walked and Gwyn was retired, Stephen Williams singled to left to drive in Puklus. It was Williams's first varsity hit and RBI.

Meanwhile, Johnson was pitching four shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven Barristers. Aaron Westine pitched the fifth and final inning, allowing one run on two hits.

The Sharks return to action on Thursday at home against Glendale. The game starts at 3:00 p.m.

Stephen Williams (44) is congratulated by Coach Ismar Ardon (26) after getting his first varsity hit.

LA Marathon XX

Wearing a Malibu Baseball T-shirt and a grey baseball cap, Sharks center fielder Daniel Williams completed the LA Marathon today in 4 hours, 53 minutes, and 33 seconds. The photo above was taken at the intersection of Wilton and 8th Street--Mile 22.

Late-Inning Defense

"I think the most difficult job in baseball is late-inning defense. It's like handling your homework in high school. You don't get any credit for just handling it because you're expected to do it, but if you don't do it you get docked."

--Tim McCarver

Post-Game Notes (March 5)

George Azzi got the start at shortstop for the Sharks today. . . . Six different Sharks struck out in today's game. The team total of 8 Ks was down significantly from yesterday's total of 14 (but still not something to write home about). . . . Through two games, Daniel Williams has reached base safely five times in seven plate appearances. . . . Brooks Fitch and Michael Gwyn were both recipients of intentional walks in today's game. Both intentional walks followed sacrifice bunts, one by Geoff Roth and one by Stephen Williams. (The Sharks did not score after either sacrifice/intentional walk combination.) . . . Twelve of the sixteen outs recorded with Jason Puklus on the mound came on fly balls. Centerfielder Daniel Williams recorded all three outs in the fifth inning and two of the three outs in the second inning. . . . Two of South Gate's pitchers--the starter and the closer--were named "Isaac." . . . First baseman Brooks Fitch nailed a runner with a perfect throw to catcher Stephen Williams in the seventh inning. There's nothing unusual about that, except for the fact that the out was recorded at third base. . . . Phil Johnson returns from a three-game suspension on Monday. . . . Coach Jason Cavnar's ejection in the eighth inning kept him out of the JV game as well.

South Gate 5, Sharks 4

Two Malibu errors in the top of the eighth inning gave the South Gate Rams a one-run lead that they held on to for a 5-4 victory over the Sharks in the second game of the Daily News-Victory Invitational today at MHS. After Juan Garcia led off the inning by grounding out, Kevin Martinez singled up the middle on a 1-2 pitch, taking advantage of a very questionable call on the 0-2 pitch. Alex Molina bunted to the right side of the mound and Malibu reliever Geoff Roth bobbled the ball as Molina ran safely to first. With runners on first and second, leadoff hitter Isaac Martinez grounded weakly to the third-base side of the mound. Roth fielded the ball and threw to Brett Weinstock for the force at second. Malibu appeared to have completed the double play on the relay to first, but Martinez was called safe. After Isaac Martinez stole second, Angel Gonzalez hit a ground ball to short that skidded under the glove of Jason Puklus. Kevin Martinez scored. Daniel Williams, who fielded the ball in center, threw a strike to Stephen Williams at the plate to get Isaac Martinez who was also trying to score on the play, but the damage had been done.

South Gate scratched together single runs in five of the eight innings, starting with the first when a leadoff single, a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt, and another single produced a run off of Malibu starter Jason Puklus. The Rams followed with single runs in the third, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.

The Sharks scored three of their four runs in the fourth inning courtesy of two South Gate errors on one play. Brooks Fitch and Jamie Van Soelen led off the inning with singles. After Puklus struck out and Stephen Williams flied to deep center, Michael Gwyn singled to load the bases. With Colbie Bell at the plate, Fitch scored on a passed ball. An errant pickoff attempt at second base allowed Van Soelen to score from third. Gwyn also scored on the same play when the center fielder bobbled the ball.

Malibu's fourth run came in the fifth when Daniel Williams, who reached base in each of his four plate appearances, walked and was driven in on Roth’s double into the left-center gap.

Puklus pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits and a walk. Roth, in relief, was tagged with the loss. He pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up two runs (one unearned) on five hits.

Offensively, Williams and Roth had two hits apiece. Fitch, Van Soelen, Puklus, and Gwyn each had one hit.

Daily News-Victory Invitational Tournament action continues on Monday at 3:00 p.m. when the Sharks host the John Marshall Barristers.

JV Score: South Gate 3, Malibu 0

The Sharks JV squad could never get untracked offensively and squandered an outstanding pitching performance by Wesley Semkin, losing 3-0 to the South Gate Rams in the season opener. Semkin allowed no earned runs in a complete game effort. All of South Gate's runs came in the top of the sixth following a series of defensive miscues.

There were few offensive highlights for the Sharks. Defensively, however, Jace Dispenza played well in center field and John Ottusch, making his first start at third base at any level, made several excellent plays. Ross Ellis also played a solid game behind the plate.

Technical Difficulties

If you see a post below called "Box Score--Game 1" followed by a lot of empty space, please hit the reload button. I've had some technical difficulties with the blog, but I think everything is now back to normal. (I'm trying to figure out a way to post box scores after each game, but something I did last night caused a few problems.)

Post-Game Notes (March 4)

Brett Weinstock played stellar defense at second base for the Sharks. He recorded five put-outs and four assists. . . . Brooks Fitch pitched five complete innings, striking out four, walking three, and hitting a batter. . . . Geoff Roth pitched two complete innings in relief and allowed no hits. . . . Two months before his fifteenth birthday, Stephen Williams got his first varsity playing experience. He caught the seventh inning for the Sharks. Alex Beck (DH/P/RF) and Wes Semkin (PH) also got their first varsity experience in today's game. . . . Vasquez pitcher China McCarney took five Malibu hitters to a full count, but only one--Brett Weinstock leading off in the first inning--walked. Two others struck out and two grounded out. . . . The Sharks had five baserunners in the game, but only two (including Weinstock, who scored) reached second.

Vasquez 7, Sharks 1

Pitcher Geoff Roth and Catcher Stephen Williams react to a foul ball in the seventh inning of a7-1 loss to Vasquez.

China McCarney pitched a complete-game victory over the Sharks on Opening Day in Malibu. Topping 90 MPH on the radar gun from start to finish, McCarney struck 14, walked two, and hit a batter in the course of a 107-pitch outing. Brooks Fitch, whose single to right center with two out in the bottom of the first inning scored Brett Weinstock, had one of only two hits off McCarney for the Sharks.

After Malibu went ahead 1-0 in the first, Vasquez scored two runs in the top of the second. J.C. Urso singled to left. After Joseph Perez flied to center, Nick Lance walked. Fitch then struck out Eric Mendoza, but with two outs and a full count on Eric Darling, Fitch let one get away, hitting Darling. McCarney then followed with a single to center scoring Urso and Lance.

Vasquez added two runs in the fourth courtesy of two Malibu errors. Another unearned run in the fifth made it 5-1. Vasquez completed the scoring in the sixth by stringing together three walks, a sacrifice fly, and a run-scoring groundout.

Malibu's only scoring threat after the first inning came in the third when, with two outs, Daniel Williams reached on an infield single. After Williams stole second, Jason Puklus walked, but the inning ended one batter later when Fitch struck out. In the final four innings, McCarney allowed only one baserunner (Fitch, HBP in the sixth), striking out eight of the last thirteen hitters he faced.

The Sharks take on South Gate tomorrow starting at 11:00 a.m.

Fifty Years

Malibu Little League celebrates its fiftieth anniversary tomorrow with Opening Day festivities at Bluffs Park. This week's Malibu Times includes a story about the league's early days. A schedule of Opening Day activities is posted below the photo on the Malibu Little League web site. You can support MLL by having breakfast at the Grand Slam Pancake Breakfast (doesn't that name belong to Denny's?) before making your way to Malibu High for the 11:00 a.m. start of Game 2 of the Daily News - Victory Invitational.

This is risky, because I know I'll leave out some names, but the following Malibu High baseball players played in Malibu Little League: Colbie Bell, Sloan Campi, Graham Ellis, Ross Ellis, Brooks Fitch, Travis Franz, Michael Gwyn, Phil Johnson, Greg Kernodle, John Ottusch, Jacob Perrin, Jason Puklus, Geoff Roth, Wesley Semkin, Jamie Van Soelen, Brett Weinstock, Jared Weinstock, Aaron Westine, Daniel Williams, Stephen Williams, and Jake Winokur.

Congratulations, Malibu Little League!

Pre-Game Notes (March 4)

Brooks Fitch, who led the Sharks in wins and strikeouts last season, is expected to make the start today. Fitch wore number 38 last year but will be wearing 25 this season. . . . Sophomore Greg Kernodle will get the start at third base. . . . Daniel Williams moves over to center field this season and changes numbers from 20 to 11. Williams led the Sharks in hits last season. . . . Jason Puklus starts at shortstop. Puklus (19) led the Sharks in 2004 with a .512 OBP. . . . Junior Michael Gwyn will be starting behind the plate. . . . Brett Weinstock, who hit .383 last season, will start at second base. . . . There are three pairs of brothers in the Sharks baseball program this season: Brett (senior) and Jared (sophomore) Weinstock, Daniel (senior) and Stephen (freshman) Williams, and Ross (junior) and Graham (freshman) Ellis.

Opening Day Weather Update

Look for partly cloudy skies and a game time temperature of about 60 degrees. It will be breezy, with the wind blowing in from right field by about the third inning. As promised, there will be no need for the tarp.

Opening Day

"You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen."

--Joe DiMaggio, talking about Opening Day

Opening Day has arrived. All possibilities are real. (Unfortunately, even rain is a possibility, but I'll still go with my forecast two nights ago.)

"Baseball began in a bright green field with an ancient name when this country was new and raw and without shape, and it has shaped America by linking every summer from 1846 to this one, through wars and depressions and seasons of rain."

--Bart Giamatti, in "Men of Baseball, Lend an Ear"

No baseball fan is ever a pessimist on Opening Day.

* * *

The Malibu Sharks host the Vasquez Mustangs in the first game of the Daily News-Victory Invitational today at 3:00 p.m. Be there!

Tarpaulins

Given the amount of rain Malibu has had this season (and the fact that it has rained much of the afternoon and evening), it seems like a good time to discuss an often overlooked baseball topic: tarpaulins. Tarps are a required accessory for major league fields (except in the case of domed stadiums). Most high school and college fields, however, do not have tarps. Why not? Cost. Tarps large enough to cover a baseball infield start at $1500 (without a roller).

Here are a few baseball tarp facts:

• Abner Powell, the owner of a professional team in New Orleans, is credited with being the first to use a tarp to cover a baseball field. When? 1889.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates were the first major league team to use a tarp to cover the infield during a rain delay. It happened on May 6, 1906. (Let's be sure to mark the centennial of that event next season.)
• A dispute over when to roll out the tarp got groundskeeper Bill Butler ejected from a Class A South Atlantic League game on May 23, 2003. Butler, who works for the Lakewood (N.J.) BlueClaws, is believed to be the only groundskeeper ever ejected from a professional baseball game.

The forecast? More rain Thursday night, but clearing on Friday. No tarp will be needed in Malibu this weekend!

Scouting Report: Vasquez High Mustangs

The Vasquez Mustangs, coming off a 23-4 record, return their three top players from the 2004 season. China McCarney was 9-1 with a 1.84 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 64.2 innings last season. He also hit eight home runs and scored 44 runs. Curtis Leavitt led the Mustangs' pitching staff in ERA (1.17) in compiling a 4-2 record. Leavitt also hit eight home runs and led the team in RBIs with 43. Jeff Granillo finished third on the team last season in batting average and RBIs. On the mound he was 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA.

In their only game against a team on Malibu's schedule last season, Vasquez lost to Oaks Christian, 3-2, on March 6 in the Daily News-Victory Invitational in a game played at Pepperdine. Vasquez also lost, 4-0, to LA Baptist in the CIF playoffs. (The Sharks played LA Baptist in the Harvard Westlake tournament in December.) Vasquez went 3-2 in the Daily News-Victory Invitational last year, defeating Eagle Rock, Taft, and Granada Hills Kennedy and losing to Oaks Christian and Thousand Oaks.

Notre Dame 8, Malibu 6

The Sharks, facing a tough Notre Dame team in a scrimmage at home yesterday, fell 8-6 in eight innings. Senior Aaron Westine pitched three strong innings for Malibu and Sophomore Greg Kernodle played very strong defense at second and third. Senior Brett Weinstock had two hits.

The Sharks had a chance to win, but weak defense and the long ball brought Notre Dame back from a 6-2 deficit. Malibu tried to mount a rally in the bottom of the eighth after falling behind in the top of the inning, but couldn't get the key base hit.

In spite of the loss, it was a promising performance, particularly considering the fact that the Sharks were without the services of Senior Phil Johnson, who was serving the first game of a three-game suspension. Westine's performance on the mound in his first live-game action in over six months showed him to be capable of making a strong contribution to the pitching rotation. Senior Daniel Williams, moving over to centerfield from left where he played during the fall and winter seasons, ran down everything hit in his direction. Kernodle's defense was impressive and he had three good at-bats, including an outstanding bunt. Senior Alex Beck handled himself well behind the plate.

The Sharks get started for real on Friday with a home game against Vasquez High in the first game of the Daily News Invitational. Starting time is 3:00 p.m.

Notes from the Weekend

The Sharks fielded two very good teams for their intra-squad game on Saturday. Phil Johnson and Brooks Fitch both pitched very effectively. Among the freshmen, Nate Schoenbrun, Jacob Perrin, and Stephen Williams played well. Williams got the visiting team on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with a two-run double into the left-centerfield gap. Perrin and Schoenbrun followed with base hits.

Following the game, Anne Arvin and Robert Williams grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken for the baseball and softball teams, parents of players, and the occasional T-ball player who stopped by asking "How much are the hot dogs?" Thanks to all who brought food.

On Sunday at the Pepperdine-Tulane game, Robert Williams (no, I'm not being at all modest) led the crowd in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch. Coach Paul Gallo, alumnus Justin Vititoe, Phil and Rick Johnson, and Daniel and Stephen Williams were all there for the occasion. Apparently no studio execs were in attendance, however, as no recording contract was offered.

2005 Varsity Schedule

Varsity

Monday, February 28, 3:00 p.m.
Notre Dame at MHS (pre-season)

Daily News Tournament

Friday, March 4, 3:oo p.m.
Vasquez at MHS

Saturday, March 5, 11:00 a.m.
South Gate at MHS

Monday, March 7, 3:00 p.m.
Marshall at MHS

Thursday, March 10, 3:00 p.m.
Glendale at MHS

Saturday, March 12, 2:00 p.m.
MHS at Reseda

*****

Tuesday, March 15, 3:30 p.m.
Nordhoff at MHS*

Friday, March 18, 3:30 p.m.
MHS at Santa Clara*

Saturday, March 19, 11:00 a.m.
Kilpatrick at MHS

(Spring Break)

Tuesday, April 5, 3:30 p.m.
MHS at Oaks Christian*

Friday, April 8, 3:30 p.m.
Oaks Christian at MHS*

Saturday, April 9, 11:00 a.m.
MHS at Montclair Prep

Tuesday, April 12, 3:30 p.m.
Santa Paula at MHS*

Friday, April 15, 3:30 p.m.
MHS at Santa Paula*

Saturday, April 16, 3:00 p.m.
Oak Park at MHS (2)

Tuesday, April 19, 3:30 p.m.
MHS at Nordhoff*

Friday, April 22, 3:30 p.m.
Nordhoff at MHS*

Saturday, April 23, 11:00 a.m.
Harvard Westlake at MHS

Tuesday, April 26, 3:30 p.m.
Santa Clara at MHS*

Friday, April 29, 3:30 p.m.
MHS at Santa Clara*

Tuesday, May 10, 3:30 p.m.
MHS at Oaks Christian*

Thursday, May 12, 3:30 p.m.
Santa Paula at MHS*

Tuesday, May 17
CIF Wildcard Round

Friday, May 20
CIF First Round

Tuesday, May 24
CIF Second Round

Friday, May 27
CIF Quarter-final

Tuesday, May 31
CIF Semifinal

Thursday or Saturday, June 2 or 4
CIF Final

*--Frontier League

Schedule Alert

The Sharks will play a double-header at Malibu High against San Marcos on Saturday, February 5. Details to follow.

Arguing with Umpires

"The job of arguing with the umpire belongs to the manager, because it won't hurt the team if he gets thrown out of the game."

--Earl Weaver

Sharks 8, Oak Park 1

Malibu defeated Oak Park, 8-1, today in a practice game at Malibu High. Three Malibu pitchers–Brooks Fitch, Wes Semkin, and Phil Johnson–combined to toss a one-hitter and Brett Weinstock, Daniel Williams, and Jason Puklus had two hits apiece in the win.

Pitching was the story for the Sharks. Fitch struck out the side in the top of the first, walked the first batter in the second, and then proceeded to strike out the next three Oak Park hitters.

Semkin, who pitched the third and fourth innings, allowed only one baserunner–a two-out walk in the top of the third. He retired the side in order in the fourth inning on three infield groundball outs.

Johnson worked the last three innings. He struggled with his control in the fifth inning, walking the first two batters he faced and hitting another batter after getting two outs. He got out of the bases-loaded jam with a strikeout. After pitching a perfect sixth inning, Johnson walked the leadoff hitter in the seventh. A stolen base, a strikeout, and a ground out later, Oak Park’s only hit of the game–a single to right–brought in the only run allowed by Malibu pitching all day.

Altogether, Malibu pitchers recorded 12 strikeouts–six by Fitch, one by Semkin, and five by Johnson.

Offensively, Malibu started strong. Brett Weinstock led off the bottom of the first being hit by a pitch for the first of three times in the game. (One was disallowed by the umpire for failing to make an attempt to avoid being hit.) After Weinstock advanced to second on a wild pitch, Daniel Williams pushed a bunt past the mound and reached first safely. Williams stole second to set up Phil Johnson’s two-run double to left center–what would prove to be the only extra-base hit of the game. Johnson moved to third on Brooks Fitch’s grounder to the right side and scored the third run of the game when Geoff Roth grounded out as well. The inning ended on Jamie Van Soelen’s soft line drive to second.

A missed sign limited Malibu’s scoring in the bottom of the second to only one run. Jason Puklus led off the inning with a base hit. He stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Colby Bell went down swinging, Puklus took off for the plate on a 1-0 pitch to Stephen Williams. Williams, having missed the sign from Coach Johnson to bunt, swung and missed and Puklus was tagged out after a brief rundown. Williams subsequently reached base when he was hit by a 3-1 pitch. Weinstock followed and was also hit by a pitch. With two outs and runners at first and second, Daniel Williams lined a base hit into right field to score his brother. The inning ended with Johnson striking out.

Malibu got three more runs in the third inning. After Fitch lined out to the right fielder, Geoff Roth reached on an infield hit. Van Soelen flied to shallow center and Jason Puklus reached on his second hit of the game. Colby Bell kept the inning going when the Oak Park pitcher failed to pick up a ground ball to the right side. With the bases loaded and two out, Greg Kernodle, batting for Stephen Williams, walked to drive in a run. Brett Weinstock followed with a single to left that plated Puklus and Bell. Daniel Williams flied to center to end the inning.

Thanks to a double-play line drive off the bat of Geoff Roth that erased Phil Johnson who had led off by being hit with a pitch, Malibu failed to score in the fourth. The bottom of the fifth also saw Malibu go in order. Jamie Van Soelen, who struck out looking to lead off the inning, was advised by the home plate umpire to take the rest of the day off after questioning the strike-three call.

In the sixth inning, Kernodle led off with a walk. Weinstock followed with his second hit of the day. After Williams flied to right, Johnson walked to load the bases. Brooks Fitch grounded to short, but the second baseman bobbled the feed and Kernodle scored on the play. The inning ended when Roth grounded into a 1-2-3 double play.

The next game for the Sharks is tomorrow at Malibu High against Oxnard. Game time is 10:00 a.m.

MLK Weekend Schedule

Rick Johnson has scheduled three practice games at Malibu High for this weekend. Today the Sharks take on Oak Park at 3:00 p.m. A doubleheader, with games scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., is scheduled for tomorrow (January 17).

Postponed!

The tournament in Oxnard has been postponed due to the closure of Highway 101 north of Oxnard. Stay tuned for word about possible games in Malibu on Sunday and Monday.

Oxnard Tournament

The Sharks play this weekend in Oxnard with games on Saturday (10:00 a.m.), Sunday (12:30 p.m.), and Monday (9:30 a.m.). The championship game for the tournament will be on Monday at 2:30 p.m. All games will be at Oxnard High.

Steinbrenner's Steroids

This is just in from the Borowitz Report:

STEINBRENNER’S WALLET TESTS POSITIVE FOR STEROIDS

Yankees Boss Denies Wallet-doping Charges

Just hours after the New York Yankees concluded a deal for star pitcher Randy Johnson, the wallet of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner tested positive for steroids, Major League Baseball confirmed today.

Read the entire story here.