Sharks 3, Fillmore 2

Malibu surrendered two unearned runs in the top of the first but scored three times in the bottom of the inning to give Matt Cathcart a lead that he never relinquished as the Sharks downed Fillmore, 3-2.

After the first inning, Cathcart and Fillmore pitcher Nick Hernandez engaged in a classic pitchers’ duel. Cathcart, who pitched a complete game for the fourth time in as many starts, gave up no runs on just two hits over the last six innings while Hernandez scattered four singles in shutting down the Sharks from the second inning on.

Leading off the game for the Flashes, Raul Ramirez hit a flare down the right field line that turned into a double when right fielder Matt Bordier failed in an attempt to make a sliding catch. After Sal Ibarra struck out, Nick Hernandez grounded to second. Tony Gwyn’s fielding error allowed Ramirez to score all the way from second as Hernandez reached first safely. When Nathan Ibarra struck out for the second out of the inning and Michael Watson grounded to short, it appeared Cathcart would be able to limit the damage to one run, but Jacob Perrin misplayed Watson’s grounder and the inning was extended. With runners on first and second, Jason Hurtado singled to center to drive in Hernandez before Nick Paz grounded back to Cathcart for the final out of the inning.

Trailing 2-0 and facing a pitcher who had allowed only one of his last four opponents to score as many as three runs, the Sharks immediately mounted a comeback. Leading off the bottom of the first, Jacob Perrin reached on an infield hit. Tony Gwyn struck out and, with Stephen Williams at the plate, Perrin advanced to second on a passed ball. Williams walked and, on the first pitch to Sean Conrad, advanced another ninety feet along with Perrin on the second passed ball of the inning. After Conrad flied to shallow left, Justin Hale tied the game with a two-out single to right field.

Jesse Conrad advanced Hale to second with a base hit to set the stage for what would prove to be the final run of the game. With a 1-2 count, Matt Bordier singled through the left side of the infield to drive in Hale with the go-ahead run. Conrad was hung up between second and third for the final out of the inning, but, as it turned out, the Sharks had given Cathcart all the run support he would need.

Having escaped the first inning with a 3-2 lead, Cathcart did not allow another hit until the fifth inning. David Watson led off the fifth with an infield single on a weak popup that landed behind the mound, but was thrown out stealing by Williams on the first pitch to Raul Ramirez as Ramirez missed on a bunt attempt.

The Flashes threatened to tie the game in the top of the seventh. After Hurtado struck out to lead off the inning, pinch hitter David Esquivel singled to left. One out later, David Watson reached on an error. With the potential tying run at second, Cathcart induced Ramirez to pop out to second baseman Tony Gwyn for the final out of the game.

Hernandez meanwhile kept the Sharks’ bats in check. Jesse Conrad picked up his second hit in the bottom of the fourth but was unable to advance beyond second. Perrin singled with one out in the fifth but never got off first. In the bottom of the sixth, Sean Conrad led off with a single and stole second base. Nate Schoenbrun had a two-out infield hit that moved Conrad to third, but the inning ended when Cathcart flied out to right.

Cathcart struck out six in the game to run his league-leading total for the season to 59. By running his won-loss record to 7-1, he also moved into a tie for the lead in wins.

The win runs Malibu’s record to 17-4 with three regular-season games left to play. The Sharks face the Flashes at Fillmore on Friday before closing out the season against St. Bonaventure on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

Sharks 7, Oak Park 1

Stephen Williams homered in his first two trips to the plate and Jacob Perrin allowed only one run in 5.1 innings as Malibu rolled to a 7-1 victory over Oak Park on Friday.

Oak Park scored first, but was unable to hold the lead or to get to Perrin or reliever Jesse Conrad after the first inning. Eagles' shortstop Ryan Jensen led off the game with a double to the left-center field gap. Noah Markel followed with a bunt single. After centerfielder Mitch Halpert fouled out, pitcher Jake Hagen singled to right to drive in Jensen. Perrin and the Sharks escaped with no further damage as Eric Columbia grounded back to the mound and Cameron Dechene flied to center.

In the home half of the first, Perrin reached on a one-out walk to set the stage for Williams' first home run of the afternoon. After fouling off three pitches from Hagen, Williams parked a 3-2 pitch beyond the left field fence to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead.

Sean Conrad followed the homer with a single to right. After stealing second and moving to third on Jesse Conrad's ground out to second, he was stranded when Justin Hale walked and Matt Cathcart flied to center to end the inning.

Although Oak Park put runners in scoring position against Perrin in three of the next four innings, solid defense and clutch pitching kept the Eagles off the board.

Meanwhile, Malibu added two more runs in the third and three in the fourth. Leading off the third, Williams took Hagen deep for the second time on a 2-0 pitch. Sean Conrad followed with a bunt single and his second of three stolen bases on the day. After moving to third on Jesse Conrad's ground out, Conrad scored on a double to left center by Justin Hale.

In the bottom of the fourth, Gwyn started a one-out rally with a base hit. Perrin grounded out, advancing Gwyn to second, and Williams was intentionally walked. Gwyn scored and Williams moved to second when Jensen mishandled Sean Conrad's ground ball. After Williams took third on a wild pitch, he scored on the front end of a successful double steal. Jesse Conrad's base hit then drove in Sean Conrad with the third run of the inning.

With a pitch count at 88, Perrin left the mound with one out in the top of the sixth. Jesse Conrad retired two of the three batters he faced in the sixth before sealing the victory by retiring the heart of the Oak Park lineup in order in the seventh.

On the day, Williams was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. His home runs were his fourth and fifth of the season. Sean Conrad was 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and two runs scored. Monty Biglow, Jesse Conrad, Tony Gwynn, and Justin Hale picked up the remaining hits in the Sharks' eight-hit attack.

With the win, Jacob Perrin ran his record on the season to 3-0. Two days after picking up a save at Oak Park, Perrin scattered seven hits over 5.1 innings while walking three, striking out three, and hitting one batter.

The win runs Malibu's record to 9-2 and 2-0 in Tri-Valley League games. The Sharks host Montclair Prep on Monday before resuming league play with games against Santa Paula on Wednesday and Friday.

Sharks 6, Oak Park 5

Matt Cathcart earned his fourth win in four starts and Tony Gwyn and Jesse Conrad drove in two runs apiece as Malibu extended its winning streak to six games with a 6-5 victory over Tri-Valley League rival Oak Park.

Cathcart struck out five and allowed three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. Jacob Perrin pitched the final inning and a third to pick up his second save of the season.

After a scoreless first inning, the Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Senior third baseman Eric Columbia doubled off the wall in right field to lead off the inning. With Cameron Dechene at the plate, Cathcart balked, moving Columbia to third. Dechene grounded out to Perrin at short on the next pitch to drive in Columbia with the first run of the game.

Malibu answered with four runs in the top of the third. Designated hitter D. J. Wolford walked to open the frame. Two pitches later, an errant pickoff attempt by Eagles pitcher David Whitaker moved Wolford to third base. After Matt Bordier struck out, Gwyn notched the first of his RBIs on a single up the middle. Gwyn stole second with Sean Conrad at bat and moved to third one pitch later as Conrad reached first on a dropped third strike. Gwyn scored as Conrad was put out at second for the second out of the inning on a ground ball off the bat of Perrin. Stephen Williams followed with a base on balls. With Jesse Conrad up at bat, Perrin and Williams worked a double steal. Two pitches later, Conrad singled to left to drive in both runners. Justin Hale grounded out to end the inning with the Sharks on top, 4-1.

Helping himself by picking off Noah Markel following Markel’s one-out single, Cathcart retired the top of the Eagles’ lineup in order in the bottom of the third inning.

Oak Park narrowed the Sharks’ lead in the bottom of the fourth. First baseman Jake Hagen doubled to left. With Alex Malin running for Hagen, Columbia grounded sharply back to Catchcart. Cathcart threw to Gwyn who appeared to apply the tag to Malin as he scrambled to return to the bag, but a "safe" call left the Eagles with two runners on and nobody out. With Dechene at the plate, Oak Park worked the double steal. Trying to get Columbia at second, Williams’ throw sailed into center field allowing Malin to score and Columbia to advance to third. Cathcart responded by striking out Dechene, but Trent Hoerman followed with a double to right center that scored Columbia, bringing the Eagles to within a run of Malibu. The Sharks escaped further damage, however, as Whitaker grounded out and Jason Shender struck out to end the inning.

Malibu picked up a run in the top of the fifth. After Eagles center fielder Mitch Halpert robbed Sean Conrad of a base hit on a nice catch, Perrin flied to Halpert for the second out of the inning. Williams reached first as Whitaker’s 2-1 curve ball hit him in the back. Jesse Conrad’s second base hit of the day moved Williams to second. Justin Hale followed with a towering double to the fence in left. Williams scored easily but Conrad was thrown out at home for the final out of the inning.

As they would in the sixth inning as well, Oak Park answered in the bottom of the fifth. Shortstop Ryan Jensen led off with a single to left. Markel sacrificed Jensen to second. With Halpert at the plate, Jensen moved to third on a wild pitch. Halpert tripled high off the wall in right to bring the Eagles to within one run of the Sharks. With the potential tie run ninety feet away and only one out, Cathcart struck out Hagen, walked Columbia, and got Dechene to ground out to Hale at third for the final out of the inning.

In the top of the sixth facing Oak Park reliever Jeff Pfeiffer, Wolford drew a walk (his third of the game) with one out. Nate Schoenbrun sacrificed Wolford to second. Gwyn followed with his second hit and second RBI of the game, a single through the right side of the infield.

Pitching in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run lead, Cathcart struck out Hoerman before Pfeiffer, hitting in Whitaker’s spot, reached second on a throwing error by Hale. Pfeiffer moved to third on a ground out. With the top of the Oak Park lineup coming up, Coach Paul Gallo brought in Perrin to relieve Cathcart. Jensen lined a 1-1 pitch into left field to drive in Pfeiffer and bring the Eagles to within one run before Perrin snagged a comebacker off the bat of Markel for the final out of the inning.

Clinging to a 6-5 lead going into the seventh inning, the Sharks failed to score in the top half of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Perrin appeared to have total mastery of his pitches. He struck out Halpert on three pitches--swinging strikes on an inside fastball and a changeup in the dirt followed by a fastball (looking) on the outside corner--and had Hagen 0-2 before getting him to ground out to Monty Biglow at second. On the next two pitches, however, Perrin hit Columbia and Dechene to put the tying run in scoring position. The drama ended quickly, though, when Hoerman grounded the first pitch he saw from Perrin to Gwyn at short for the final out of the game.

Malibu’s win, which runs the team’s record on the season to 8-2, came in spite of the fact that Sean Conrad, Jacob Perrin, and Stephen Williams--the first three hitters in the Sharks’ lineup--were a combined 0-for-10 on the day. On the other hand, Perrin, who reached once on a fielder’s choice, and Williams, who reached three times on a walk, a hit by pitch, and an error, scored three of Malibu’s six runs.

Malibu and Oak Park will meet again at Malibu High on Friday afternoon where the Sharks will be looking to extend their winning streak to seven games. The 2005 Sharks reeled off ten consecutive wins after losing their first two games of the season.

Sharks 12, New Roads 4

The Sharks rode a six-run third inning and a strong pitching performance by Justin Hale to a 12-4 win over the New Roads Jaguars. Malibu racked up seventeen hits, including Stephen Williams’ second home run in as many games, in moving to 4-2 on the season.

Nate Schoenbrun was 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Sean Conrad, Andor Kesselman, Matt Bordier, and Monty Biglow each had two-hit games for the Sharks.

Hale, making his first start of the season, gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits with two strikeouts in five innings of work. He pitched out of jams in the first and second innings, retired the Jaguars in order in the third, and gave up single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Travis Franz, making his first appearance of the season, pitched the fifth and sixth innings. He gave up two earned runs on four walks, two hit batters, and two strikeouts.

After failing to score in spite of base hits by Jacob Perrin and Sean Conrad in the bottom of the first inning, Malibu got on the board in the second. After Jesse Conrad struck out looking to lead off the inning, Matt Bordier, the Sharks' leading hitter, singled to right. Bordier advanced to second after third baseman Tony Gwyn was hit by a pitch. Monty Biglow followed with double to the fence in left that scored Bordier and moved Gwyn to third. Nate Schoenbrun then singled to center to drive in Gwyn. After Jacob Perrin popped out to second, Biglow was picked off third to end the inning.

The Sharks touched New Roads starter Alex Vibiano for six runs on seven hits in the third inning. Stephen Williams hit Vibiano's second pitch of the inning over the left centerfield fence to increase the Malibu lead to 3-0. Sean Conrad followed with his second hit of the game and was driven in one batter later as Justin Hale doubled to left centerfield. Hale, who had advanced to third on a New Roads throwing error, scored on Jesse Conrad's base hit down the third base line.

Bordier singled, moving Conrad to second. Conrad scored when Gwyn reached on an error. Biglow followed with a single that drove in Bordier. Schoenbrun's second hit of the game, a single to center, drove in Gwyn with the sixth run of the inning for Malibu, all without an out having been recorded.

Vibiano, still on the mound, settled down and got three of the next four hitters to end the scoring. Perrin flied to center, Williams walked to load the bases, Sean Conrad struck out swinging, and Hale flied to center to end the inning.

Down 8-0, New Roads got on the board in the top of the fourth. Vibiano tripled to center to lead off the inning and scored one batter later on an infield groundout.

With Quinn Barbini taking over on the mound for the Jaguars, the Sharks picked up four more runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Jesse Conrad drew a leadoff walk. With Keith Lamasney running for Conrad, Bordier grounded into a fielder’s choice. Gwyn singled and Biglow walked to load the bases. Schoenbrun’s double to right center drove in two runs. Kesselman, batting for Perrin, singled to drive in Biglow and D. J. Wolford, batting for Williams, drove in Schoenbrun with a base hit to left center. Matt Cathcart flied to center and Justin Hale struck out to end the inning with the Sharks up 12-1.

In the top of the fifth, the Jaguars turned two errors and a base hit by Vibiano into their second run of the game.

Travis Franz pitched the sixth and seventh innings for the Sharks. Struggling with his control, Franz got out of a jam with the help of a nicely turned 5-4-3 double play in the sixth. Three walks, a hit batter, and two singles in the top of the seventh turned into two runs for the Jaguars, but Franz induced Luis Ramirez to ground out to end the game.

Next up for the Sharks is a doubleheader at home against the Antelope Valley Antelopes on Saturday. The first game begins at 11:00 a.m.

Sharks 6, LA Baptist 5

Malibu scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and gave up just one run after the first three LA Baptist hitters in the top of the seventh reached base to come away with a 6-5 win this afternoon.

Sharks pitchers gave up 13 hits but tightened up when necessary. The Knights stranded 11 runners overall (including nine stranded at second and third bases) and left a runner on third base in every inning but the sixth. Four of the seven strikeouts recorded by Malibu's pitchers came with a runner at third.

Senior Nate Schoenbrun started for the Sharks and pitched into the fifth inning before turning a 2-0 lead over to Matt Cathcart. In keeping with the theme of high drama, Schoenbrun allowed LA Baptist's leadoff hitter to reach base every inning he pitched. Each leadoff hitter reached third base, but none scored until the fifth inning.

Malibu had a threat of its own turned back in the second inning. With two outs, Matt Bordier singled to left. Tony Gwyn followed with a double over the head of the left fielder, but Bordier was held at third and Monty Biglow struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Sharks broke through for two runs. With one out, Jacob Perrin doubled to left center. Stephen Williams reached second and Perrin moved to third on a throwing error by the Knights third baseman. Sean Conrad was hit on a 2-2 pitch to load the bases for Justin Hale. Hale grounded into the hole past third to drive in Perrin and Williams alertly scored when LA Baptist's shortstop booted the ball into short left field. The inning ended when Sean Conrad was doubled off second on Jesse Conrad’s pop out to short.

The Knights put together five hits in the fifth inning and took a 4-2 lead. Ryan Cathers led off with a double to left off of Schoenbrun. With a 2-1 count on cleanup hitter Jim Augur, Coach Paul Gallo replaced Schoenbrun on the mound with Matt Cathcart. Augur doubled to left to drive in Cathers. John Marshall reached first and Augur moved to third when Monty Biglow was unable to handle a tough hop at third off of Marshall’s bat. Anthony Scarcello drove in Augur and traded places with Marshall on a grounder to short. Nick Scarcello then singled to center. Pinch hitter Curtis Anderson then doubled to left center to drive in Anthony Scarcello with the go-ahead run. Evan DeYoung's base hit drove in Nick Scarcello and moved Anderson to third with just one out.

With leadoff hitter Aaron Engel at bat, Cathcart bore down and the Sharks made a game-changing play. On the first pitch from Cathcart, Engel missed a bunt attempt. A pitchout revealed no bunt or steal attempt. After throwing over to first twice, Cathcart fired a strike past Engel. Then, on a 1-2 pitch, Cathcart got Engel to strike out swinging and Williams completed a much-needed double play by throwing out Anderson attempting to steal second.

Knights starter Ethan Koskela seemed to tire in the top of the sixth inning and the Sharks were able to take advantage. Jesse Conrad led off with a four-pitch walk. Matt Bordier grounded to short to force Conrad at second. Gwyn then moved Bordier to second with his second hit of the afternoon, a single to left. Keith Lamasney, pinch hitting for Monty Biglow, got an infield hit to load the bases. With Schoenbrun at the plate, Bordier scored on a passed ball. Schoenbrun then walked to load the bases again.

Against a drawn-in infield and with the tying run ninety feet away, Jacob Perrin grounded to third. The throw home was in the dirt and bounced away allowing both Gwyn and Monty Biglow (running for Lamasney) to score. Stephen Williams lined out to third, but Schoenbrun dived back to the bag to avoid being doubled up. Sean Conrad then lined a ball off of the pitcher. As he went to field the ball near the third base line, Knights catcher Anthony Scarcello ran into Schoenbrun who was trying to score from third. The home plate umpire immediately called obstruction, which allowed Schoenbrun to score the Sharks' fourth run of the inning.

After Cathers replaced Koskela on the mound, Justin Hale was hit by a pitch to continue the inning. Jesse Conrad, up for the second time in the sixth inning, popped out to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, John Marshall drove Cathcart's first pitch into the gap in left for a double. With a one-ball count on Anthony Scarcello, Gallo brought in Gwyn to pitch. Gwyn walked Anthony Scarcello and then gave up a run-scoring single to Nick Scarcello. Steve Wood followed with a well-executed sacrifice bunt that moved the runners to second and third with only one out. Second baseman Monty Biglow made a nice play as Gwyn got DeYoung to pop out behind first base. On a 1-2 pitch, Aaron Engel flied to Matt Cathcart in shallow left to end the game.

The Sharks, now 2-1 on the season, wrap up the Southern California Invitational/Royal Tournament with games on Friday and Saturday. Locations and opponents will be announced on Thursday.

Mary Star 5, Sharks 4

Less than twenty-four hours after experiencing the thrill of a walk-off victory, the Sharks felt the agony of a walk-off loss. Mary Star of the Sea scored a run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to come away with a 5-4 win over Malibu at Fromhold Field in San Pedro.

After Malibu went down in order in the top of the first, the Stars got on the board quickly in their half of the inning. Sharks starting pitcher Jacob Perrin retired the first two hitters on two pitches, but then ran the count to 3-0 to Stars catcher Johnny Cigliano. Cigliano drilled the next pitch over the left field fence to stake Mary Star to an early 1-0 lead.

Perrin made a bid to tied the game leading off the top of the second, but his drive to the warning track in center field was hauled in by Robert Torres. After Justin Hale grounded to first for the second out of the inning, Jesse Conrad singled to left. Nate Schoenbrun followed with another base hit and the Sharks took a 2-1 lead when Matt Bordier doubled into the right field corner.

Malibu surrendered the lead in the bottom of the third. With two outs in the inning, Stars shortstop Peter Ciaramitaro hit a slow roller to third and wound up on second as Hale’s throw sailed over Conrad’s head at first. After Cigliano walked, third baseman Danny Martinez doubled down the left field line to drive in Ciaramitaro and move Cigliano to third. Cigliano and Martinez both scored one batter later when Tony Gwyn bobbled a ball off the bat of pinch hitter Nick Rukavina.

Down 4-2, the Sharks’ bats went quiet until the sixth inning. After Perrin flied to right for the first out of the inning, Hale singled to left and advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt. Jesse Conrad drove in Hale with his second hit of the day. Schoenbrun flied to center and, with Bordier at the plate, Conrad advanced to second on a passed ball. Bordier then collected his second hit and third RBI of the day to knot the score at 4-4.

With two down in the bottom of the sixth and a runner on second, Jesse Conrad relieved Perrin on the mound and got Quentin Powell to ground out to end a small scoring threat.

With the top of the order up in the top of the seventh, Malibu was looking for a repeat of Friday’s last-inning heroics. However, the inning went quickly as Monty Biglow struck out, Tony Gwyn grounded out to short, and, after a very long and loud foul ball, Stephen Williams popped out to short.

In the bottom of the seventh, Conrad recorded two quick outs before running into trouble. James Fauscette hit a weak liner to third for the first out and Torres quickly grounded to second. With a 1-2 count on him, Conrad came too far inside and hit Ciaramitaro to give the Stars the opening they needed.

Ciaramitaro stole second on a 1-0 pitch to Cigliano. With first base vacant, Malibu elected to put Cigliano on first via an intentional walk. Danny Martinez followed with a long fly-ball that dropped near the warning track allowing Ciaramitaro to score the winning run.

In his first outing of the season, Jacob Perrin gave up just one earned run in five and two-thirds innings of work. He struck out six and walked four.

Matt Bordier led the Sharks at the plate with a double, a single, and three RBIs. Jesse Conrad was on base three times, twice with base hits and once with a walk.

Next up for the Sharks is a home game on Wednesday against the LA Baptist Knights.

Sharks 4, Marshall 3

Justin Hale’s two-run single capped a four-run bottom of the seventh and lifted the Sharks to a 4-3 win over the Marshall Barristers in the season opener at Malibu High this afternoon. After failing to get a runner as far as second base in the first six innings against Marshall pitcher Alex Sapin, Malibu took advantage of three Barrister errors, a double by Jacob Perrin, and a single by Jesse Conrad to set the stage for Hale’s game-winning hit.

Strong pitching performances by starter Matt Cathcart and reliever Tony Gwyn kept the Sharks in the game until the offense could get in gear. Cathcart gave up three runs–but only one earned run–while striking out eight in five-and-a-third innings. With the help of an outfield assist by Sean Conrad to cut down what would have been the Barristers’ fourth run, Gwyn shut down a Marshall rally in the sixth inning and pitched a perfect seventh inning to pick up the win in relief.

After striking out five of the first nine batters he faced, Cathcart got into trouble in the third inning when Arthur Guzman reached first on an infield hit and Oscar Robles tripled over the head of Nate Schoenbrun in center. Robles followed Guzman to the plate when Jacob Perrin’s relay throw got past third baseman Monty Biglow.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the third, the Sharks got a one-out single from Matt Bordier. Biglow followed with a hard grounder down the third base line that Marshall third baseman Peter Betancourt snared and turned into an around-the-horn double play.

The Barristers got two hits in the fourth inning, but their attempt to work a double steal with two outs and runners on first and third was thwarted by a good defensive play that nailed Mark Andrade at the plate.

Marshall broke through for run in the top of the sixth inning to make the score 3-0. After Cathcart struck out Simi Machado, Christian Hernandez singled to center. Antonio Hernandez then reached first when Perrin bobbled a ground ball at short. With his starter at 83 pitches and beginning to tire, Coach Paul Gallo brought Tony Gwyn in to pitch.

Gwyn got Andrade to fly to right, but Bordier was unable to make the catch on the ball tailing toward the right field line. Christian Hernandez scored on the play and Antonio Hernandez moved to second. Gwyn then struck out Robles for the second out of the inning. The third out was recorded when the next hitter, Betancourt, singled to left. Sean Conrad fielded the ball cleanly and fired a strike to Williams at the plate to get Hernandez trying to score.

After the Sharks went quietly in the bottom of the sixth, Gwyn capped his strong relief appearance by getting three quick groundball outs in the top of the seventh. Leading off the bottom of the seventh, Gwyn started the game-winning rally by reaching first on a throwing error by the Barristers’ third baseman. Perrin followed a double down the left field line. With runners on second and third and no outs, Williams grounded to third but beat the throw to first after the ball was bobbled. Gwyn scored the Sharks’ first run of the day on the play, but Perrin remained at second. Following Marshall’s failed pickoff attempt at second, Sean Conrad popped out for the first out of the inning.

Jesse Conrad followed with a Texas Leaguer that just eluded the grasp of Marshall shortstop Arthur Guzman. Guzman picked up the ball and attempted to force Williams at second, but the throw sailed over the bag allowing Perrin to score the Sharks’ second run. With Conrad and Williams at second and third, the Barristers intentionally walked Schoenbrun to load the bases. Hale, who entered the game as a defensive replacement at the time of the pitching change in the sixth inning, drove an 0-1 pitch from Sapin into center. Williams scored the tying run and Conrad, following close behind, scored the game winner as the throw to the plate was wide.

The Sharks, 1-0 on the new season, travel to San Pedro on Saturday to take on Mary Star of the Sea High School in the second game of the Royal Tournament. Game time is 2:00 p.m.

Alumni 10, Sharks 6

The Malibu High alumni team, led by Dane Skophammer (Class of 2001), Jason Puklus (Class of 2005), and Daniel Williams (Class of 2005), scored nine runs in the seventh inning to win the annual alumni game by the score of 10-6.

Williams, who was 3-for-5 on the day, led off the seventh for the alumni with a base hit. Puklus followed with his second double of the day to drive in Williams. Coach Dave Buss, Skophammer, and Coach Jeff Solny followed with RBI singles to pull within one run. After Coach Bobby Lehmkuhl picked up his first hit of the game, Williams picked up his second hit of the inning to push Solny across with the fifth run of the inning. A walk to Puklus set the stage for Buss to double home two runs, including the game-winner.

The alumni team got on the scoreboard first when Skophammer hit an inside-the-park homerun in the top of the second. Stephen Williams tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a homerun down the left field line off a 3-2 pitch from Jason Puklus.

The remainder of the varsity squad's scoring came in the sixth inning. Nate Schoenbrun singled and scored when Jacob Perrin tripled to left-center. After Stephen Williams walked, back-to-back singles by Sean and Jesse Conrad drove in Perrin and Williams. Sean Conrad scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Monty Biglow.

Along with some timely hitting and solid defense, the varsity squad got strong pitching performances from Matt Cathcart, Jacob Perrin, Jesse Conrad, Matt Bordier, and Andor Kesselman.

Next up for the Sharks is a scrimmage against the Santa Monica Vikings on Saturday, February 23, at 9:30 a.m.

Malibu 7, Harvard-Westlake 0 (Game Summary)

Matt Cathcart, Nate Schoenbrun, and Keith Lamasney combined to shut out Harvard-Westlake on one hit as Malibu won its American Legion opener, 7-0, in a game played at UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Malibu managed only three hits in the game, but capitalized on twelve walks and three errors by Harvard-Westlake to put up more than enough runs in support of the three pitchers. After Greg Kernodle, Sean Conrad, and Stephen Williams struck out in the bottom of the first, Jared Weinstock led off the second inning with a walk. Matt Bowman hit the first pitch into left field for a base hit. Jace Dispenza followed with a walk to load the bases. Jacob Perrin fouled out for the first out of the inning. With Tony Gwyn at the plate, Weinstock turned an attempted pickoff into a steal of home for Malibu’s first run of the game.

Malibu added two more runs in the fourth inning. Bowman drew a one-out walk and stole second base. Dispenza reached first and Bowman moved to third on a passed ball on a third strike. After Dispenza stole second on the first pitch to Perrin, Bowman scored and Perrin reached first safely on a throwing error by the Harvard-Westlake shortstop. Dispenza then scored to make the score 3-0 as Gwyn reached on a fielder’s choice.

Meanwhile, Cathcart, Schoenbrun, and Lamasney moved through the Harvard-Westlake lineup with ease. Cathcart allowed one runner—a hit batter in the top of the first—to reach over the course of the first three innings. Schoenbrun gave up a walk in the fifth inning and a leadoff single in the sixth while striking out four over the course of his three innings. Lamasney closed the game with a perfect seventh inning.

Malibu’s big inning offensively came in the bottom of the sixth with a four-run outburst. Williams led off with a walk and promptly stole both second and third. With Bowman at the plate after Weinstock struck out, Williams scored on a wild pitch. Bowman walked and, after moving to second on another wild pitch, scored when Dispenza’s base hit down the rightfield line skidded away from the outfielder leaving Dispenza on third base with one out. Perrin drove in Dispenza with a double down the leftfield line. Gwyn and Cathcart walked to load the bases and Perrin scored the final run of the game when Lamasney walked.

In part, Malibu compensated for light hitting with aggressive baserunning. The Sharks stole eight bases in eight attempts.

Next up for Malibu is a home game against Santa Monica at 2:00 p.m.

Fillmore 5, Sharks 3 (Game Summary)

Fillmore scored two runs in the top of the tenth inning and held on to defeat Malibu, 5-3, in a key Tri-Valley League game at Malibu High on Friday. The victory moved Fillmore into sole possession of fourth place with a league record of five wins and five losses. Malibu (4-6) is a game behind Fillmore with two games left to play against first-place St. Bonaventure.

The Sharks jumped out to an early lead, but were unable to hold off the Flashes. After Jace Dispenza, making his first start on the mound, retired Fillmore in order in the top of the first inning, Greg Kernodle led off the bottom half of the inning with a four-pitch walk. Sean Conrad popped up a bunt attempt for the first out of the inning. Stephen Williams followed with a single that moved Kernodle into scoring position at second base. Jared Weinstock popped to short for the second out. Dispenza then turned on a 3-1 pitch and drilled a double down the third base line. Kernodle scored the first Malibu run on the hit and Williams advanced to third. A few pitches later, with Jacob Perrin at the plate, Williams scored the Sharks’ second run on a passed ball.

Dispenza did not allow a baserunner until the third inning when designated hitter Raul Ramirez lined a one-out single to left. Anthony Flores struck out looking for the second out of the inning. With Jonathan Avila at the plate, Ramirez advanced to second on wild pitch but was thrown out trying to steal third for the final out of the inning.

After going quietly in the bottom of the second, Malibu added another run in the third. Williams led off the inning with a double off the centerfield fence. He then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Weinstock and, on a 1-1 pitch to Dispenza, scored on a wild pitch to make the score 3-0.

It appeared that three runs would be more than enough for Dispenza, who threw 40 strikes in 53 pitches while striking out four through the first four innings. In the fifth inning, however, Dispenza began to struggle. Eric Galvan led off with a four-pitch walk, but Dispenza got some help from his defense as Williams threw out Galvan trying to steal. Dispenza hit the next batter, centerfielder Sean Conaway, and walked Justin Liu before getting the second out of the inning via a fielder’s choice on a ground ball off the bat of Ramirez to Perrin at short. After a stolen base by Ramirez put two runners in scoring position, Dispenza battled back to get his fifth strikeout of the game to end the inning.

After Williams doubled in the third inning, Fillmore senior pitcher Jonathan Avila retired 17 of the next 18 Sharks batters. In fact, from the second inning through the tenth, Malibu never had more than one baserunner in an inning.

Meanwhile, Fillmore took advantage of walks and errors to tie the score in the top of the sixth. Following a lead-off walk, Sal Ibarra lined a pitch just out of the reach of Kernodle at second. An alert play by centerfielder Nate Schoenbrun turned the apparent hit into a fielder’s choice as Avila was forced out at second base. An infield error and a walk loaded the bases and ended Dispenza’s work on the mound.

Sean Conrad entered the game and struggled with his control. A walk to Galvan forced in Ibarra with Fillmore’s first run. A 1-2 curveball hit Conaway in the back to force in another run and leave the bases loaded. Liu followed with a grounder to Perrin at short. Conaway was forced at second, but Kernodle’s relay to Weinstock at first was not in time to complete the double play. Ralph Meza scored on the play to tie the score, 3-3. Conrad got Ramirez to fly out to Dispenza in center for the third out of the inning.

The Sharks went in order in both the sixth and seventh innings. Fillmore had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the seventh. Jason Hurtado, pinch-hitting for Flores, ran the count full before walking to lead off the inning. However, on the first pitch to Avila, Hurtado was thrown out stealing. Avila singled to left but was left stranded on first as both Ibarra and Larry Tovar popped out.

Except for a hit batter, Conrad breezed through the eighth inning. In the bottom of the eighth, Williams made a bid for a walkoff homerun but came up inches short. On a 1-2 pitch from Avila, Williams drove a ball to the fence in straightaway center, but Conaway was there to make the catch. Weinstock followed with a two-out single to left, but Dispenza flied to center to send the game into the ninth inning.

Conrad retired Fillmore in order in the ninth. Malibu got a two-out single from Tony Gwyn in the bottom of the inning but Gwyn was left on first when Schoenbrun popped out to second.

In the top of the tenth, Tovar doubled into the left-center gap with one out. A pop foul caught by Weinstock at first left the Flashes with just one out to go. Conrad walked Galvan intentionally after falling behind, 3-0, and then hit Conaway to load the bases. On a 2-1 pitch, Liu singled to center to drive in Tovar and Galvan with the go-ahead runs. Alex Becerra struck out to end the inning with the score 5-3.

With the pitch count at 117 entering the bottom of the tenth inning, Jonathan Avila appeared stronger than at the start of the game. Kernodle grounded out to first on a 1-0 pitch. Conrad struck out swinging for the second out of the inning. Williams hit a routine fly ball to center to end the game.

Game Notes: Fillmore center fielder Sean Conaway was hit by a pitch four times in the game–once by Dispenza in the fifth inning and three times by Conrad (in the sixth, eighth, and tenth innings). . . . Only one Malibu runner reached second base after the third inning. . . . Stephen Williams was 6-for-9 with a homerun and a double in the two games against Fillmore. Two of the three outs he made were fly balls caught up against the fence. . . . Fillmore scored three runs in the top of the sixth without a base hit. . . . Dispenza struck out five and gave up just two hits in 5.1 innings of work.

Campbell Hall 6, Sharks 5

The Sharks banged out 12 hits including three doubles and a homerun but fell short in a 6-5 loss to Campbell Hall. Greg Kernodle doubled twice, Jace Dispenza had two singles, Jacob Perrin had a single and a double, and Stephen Williams also had two hits including his first homerun of the year.

Freshman Matt Cathcart, making his first varsity start, pitched five innings for the Sharks. Cathcart gave up five runs, all earned, struck out two, walked three, and hit two batters. Because the homerun by Williams tied the game in the sixth inning, Cathcart was spared the loss.

Malibu mounted a short-lived threat in the top of the first. After Kernodle grounded out to lead off the inning, Dispenza singled to center and advanced to second on a passed ball. Williams walked, but Jared Weinstock grounded into a double play to end the inning.

After Cathcart retired the Vikings in order in the bottom of the first, Malibu pushed across a run in the top of the second. Justin Hale led off with a single to right. With Jacob Perrin at the plate, Hale moved over to second on a wild pitch. Perrin hit a grounder back to pitcher Zach Kaplan. Hale broke for third and would have been thrown out, but Kaplan's throw to third baseman Ben Schwartz was high allowing Hale to slide in under Schwartz's tag. With runners on first and third, Nate Schoenbrun singled to left to drive in Hale with the first Malibu run. Schoenbrun stole second with Sean Conrad at the plate. Conrad then lined out to short for the first out of the inning. Tony Gwyn follwed with a bunt back to the pitcher who flipped the ball to catcher Aaron Hassel in plenty of time to get Perrin trying to score. The inning ended when Greg Kernodle lined out to second baseman Tyler Johnson.

Campbell Hall tied the game in the bottom of the second. After retiring the first two Vikings hitters on ground balls to Kernodle at second, Cathcart hit Johnson with a pitch. A balk moved Johnson to second and he scored when Tyler Winther singled to left center. An errant throw from the outfield allowed Winther to move to second, but Cathcart retired Paul Maler on another groundout to second to end the inning with the scored tied, 1-1.

The Sharks added three more runs and seemed poised to pull away from Campbell Hall in the third inning. Dispenza led off with his second base hit of the game. After a wild pitch advanced Dispenza to second, Williams lined a single into left field. With runners on the corners, Jared Weinstock singled to right to knock in Dispenza. Hale then bunted Williams and Weinstock over to second and third. Perrin followed with a single to left to drive in Williams and advance Weinstock to third. In a replay of the previous inning, Schoenbrun bunted back to Kaplan who tossed the ball to Hassel to nail Weinstock at the plate. With two outs and runners on first and second, Conrad singled to right to drive in Perrin. When Winther's throw from right rolled toward home plate, Schoenbrun tried to score. Hassel fielded the throw in foul territory on the first base side and raced to the plate in time to tag out Schoenbrun for the third out of the inning.

Staked to a 4-1 lead, Cathcart ran into some problems in the bottom of the third. After retiring the leadoff hitter on a grounder to Perrin at short, Cathcart walked the next two hitters. A hit batter loaded the bases with one out and a walk to Kaplan pushed across one run. Schwartz and Johnson followed with line drive singles up the middle to drive in the second and third runs of the inning. Cathcart escaped further damage by striking out Winther and inducing Maler to ground out to end the inning.

In both the fourth and fifth innings, Malibu put together a double and walk but was unable to score. Kernodle doubled deep to center with one out in the fourth. After Dispenza struck out, Kernodle stole third. Williams walked on four pitches and stole second before Weinstock flied to center to end the innings.

Perrin doubled deep to center with one out in the fifth. Schoenbrun followed with a walk, but Conrad and pinch hitter Dalton Abbott both struck out to leave Perrin and Schoenbrun stranded.

Meanwhile, the Vikings took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a solo homerun by leadoff hitter Greg Zebrack. Two line drives hauled in by Conrad in right prevented any further scoring in the inning.

Malibu tied the game in the sixth, but came away thinking about what might have been. Kernodle led off the inning with his second extra-base hit of the game. On a drive over the left fielder's head, Kernodle was thrown out trying to stretch his double into a three bases. The Sharks' next hitter, Jace Dispenza was hit by a pitch. With Williams at the plate and the count 2-2, Dispenza was thrown out trying to steal second. With two outs, a full count, and the bases empty, Williams drove the payoff pitch high over the left field fence for his first homerun of the season and a short-lived 5-5 score.

In the top of the sixth, Sean Conrad replaced Cathcart on the mound. Conrad struggled with his control, but struck out leadoff hitter Ted Rothenberg on a 3-2 pitch. Evan Haskell followed with a walk after Conrad ran the count to 3-2. Zebrack also walked to set the stage for Aaron Hassel. On the first pitch, Hassel singled to drive in Haskell. Zebrack moved to third, but Hassel was thrown out at second by Tony Gwyn when he tried to advance on the throw to third. With two outs, Matthew Cherry missed a squeeze attempt allowing Zebrack to be tagged out between third and home.

Trailing 6-5 in the top of the seventh, the Sharks threatened but failed to score. Hale grounded out to short to start the inning. Perrin followed with a walk and moved to second when Schoenbrun grounded out on a dribbler in front of the plate. With two outs and first base open, the Vikings intentionally walked Conrad. Gwyn then grounded to short for the final out of the game.

Overall, Malibu left ten runners on base. Five others were thrown out on the bases, three of them at home.

Culver City 7, Sharks 1

Culver City took advantage of a shaky Malibu defense to score six runs in the first three innings in the course of handing the Sharks their first loss of the season, 7-1.

The defensive problems started quickly for Malibu. Culver City leadoff hitter Patrick Cousineau turned an infield hit into an extra base when Sean Conrad's throw got past first baseman Dalton Abbott. Michael Lee then dribbled a ground ball toward first and reached safely as pitcher Wilder Philipson was unable to find the handle on the ball. With runners on first and third, Kevin Ozaki grounded back to Philipson who threw to Stephen Williams at the plate to get Cousineau trying to score. The third Malibu error of the inning, on a groundball hit by MacArrin Tucker, scored Lee and moved Ozaki to third. After Adrian Campos popped out to Jacob Perrin at shortstop, Philipson hit James Seay to load the bases and then hit Jacob Blodgett to drive in another run.

Malibu put two runners on in the bottom of the first with a base hit by Jace Dispenza and a walk to Williams, but the Sharks were retired in order in the second and third innings while Culver City was tacking on four more runs.

In the top of the second, Andrew Connolly bunted and ended up on second as Philipson's throw was wild. Connolly moved to third on Cousineau's groundout to Greg Kernodle at second and scored two batters later when Kevin Ozaki beat the relay as the Sharks tried to execute an inning-ending double play.

In the third, Adrian Campos led off with a bunt single, assisted by a mental error by third baseman Sean Conrad who touched the ball in fair territory even as it seemed to be heading foul. After Seay walked and moved Campos to second, Williams picked Campos off of second. When the rundown ended, Campos was out and Seay had moved to second. A walk to Blodgett and a wild pitch that advanced both runners set the stage for a sacrifice fly by Kevin Cohen. Connolly followed with a double that scored Blodgett. Cousineau's single down the left field line drove in Connolly with the third run of the inning.

The Centaurs increased their lead to 7-0 in the fifth inning. Connolly started things off with a one-out single to left. Cousineau and Lee both followed with walks. With the bases loaded, Coach Paul Gallo called on Jace Dispenza to pitch in relief of Philipson. Ozaki, the first batter to face Dispenza, lined out to Nate Schoenbrun in center to score Connolly, who tagged from third. Tucker then lined out to Kernodle for the final out of the inning.

Malibu finally got on the board in the sixth inning. Kernodle, leading off, lined the first pitch he saw into left field for a single. Dispenza traded places with Kernodle on a fielder's choice. After Perrin flied to left for the second out of the inning, Conrad singled to right to drive in Dispenza.

On the day, Sean Conrad was 2-for-3. Jace Dispenza and Greg Kernodle had Malibu's two other hits.

The Sharks play again on Thursday, but their opponent and the location have not yet been determined.

Sharks 6, Marshall 2

Jared Weinstock's three-run homer off of Jose Mendieta capped a four-run seventh inning that gave Nate Schoenbrun all the support he needed to earn the victory in his first start of the season with a complete-game two-hitter.

Schoenbrun, who struggled with his control throughout the game, yielded a run-scoring single in the second innning and walked in a run in the bottom of the fifth, but otherwise managed to pitch through each of the jams he got himself into. On the day, Schoenbrun walked five, hit one batter, and struck out three. He was helped out by solid defensive play, including five putouts in centerfield by Jace Dispenza.

The Marshall Barristers scored first in the bottom of the second inning. Schoenbrun walked Mendieta to lead off the inning. Mark Andrade then laid down a bunt that Stephen Williams fielded in front of home plate. Williams threw to Jacob Perrin at second to force Mendieta. After Andrade stole second, Matt Lopez singled to center to drive him in. The inning ended one batter later as Hugo Robles grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

Malibu tied the game in the top of the fourth. After Weinstock grounded out to short, Schoenbrun walked. Dispenza then singled through the left side of the infield, moving Schoenbrun to second. Jake Jesson followed with a double to drive in Schoenbrun.

Malibu and Marshall traded runs in the fifth inning. With one out in the top of the inning, Perrin doubled into the ivy in right center. Perrin then advanced to third on a passed ball with Williams at the plate and scored as the catcher's throw bounced into left field.

In the bottom of the fifth, Lopez reached first with one out on a throwing error by Perrin. A hit batter and two walks in succession moved Lopez around to score. Schoenbrun was able to avoid any additional damage by getting leadoff hitter Austin Jones to ground weakly to Sean Conrad at third and Oscar Robles to fly to Dispenza in center.

With the scored tied, 2-2, the Sharks threatened to take the lead in the sixth inning. Schoenbrun led off with an infield single. Dispenza sacrificed Schoenbrun to second. A balk by Mendieta moved Schoenbrun to third with only one out, but Jesson popped to short and Jason Walsh fouled out to end the inning.

After Schoenbrun retired the Barristers in order in the bottom of the sixth, Greg Kernodle started the seventh inning with a double into the ivy in right-centerfield. Conrad popped out to third. Kernodle then stole third before Perrin walked. Williams followed with a double down the third base line that scored Kernodle and moved Perrin to third. Weinstock then put the game out of reach by driving Mendieta's first pitch high into the trees beyond centerfield.

Saturday's win runs Malibu's record on the young season to 2-0. Next up for the Sharks is a home game on Tuesday against Culver City High.