UPDATE: Chatsworth Takes Crown, 5-2

Update: Chatsworth wins the Valley Invitational Baseball League championship, 5-2, on Friday night over West Valley League rival El Camino Real at Birmingham High.

---

After tangling with longtime West Valley League rival El Camino Real High during the baseball season this past spring, Chatsworth sees the Conquistadores again tonight in the championship game of the Valley Invitational Baseball League. First pitch is 7 p.m. at Birmingham High in Van Nuys.

Chatsworth, using the name Valley North because City Section schools can’t use the name of the school in the VIBL, has scored 38 runs in four playoff wins, including a 4-0 semifinal win Wednesday over Royal of Simi Valley.

El Camino Real, using the name Woodland Hills West, has outscored playoff opponents 26-5, including a 1-0 semifinal win over Simi Valley.

After advancing to the City Section final at Dodger Stadium, Chatsworth graduated most of its key players, including its top pitchers and power-hitting outfielders Aaron Brown (drafted in the 17th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates) and Steven Karkenny (signed with Master’s College).

Among Chatsworth’s key players this summer is Kiefer Kofman, who started at first base this past season. He threw a three-hitter and retired 16 batters in a row at one point in the win over Simi Valley. He is 7-0 and has hit four home runs, including two grand slams.

Since the VIBL started 12 years ago, Chatsworth won a championship in 2008, and El Camino Real has never won one, though the Conquistadores did win the 2010 City title.