Chatsworth's Baseball Team Plays Waiting Game

In the midst of an eight-day break, Chatsworth High’s baseball team is eagerly anticipating a return to the diamond, first with a nonleague showdown Saturday against visiting Sylmar before the real fun begins with West Valley League competition beginning Wednesday at Cleveland High in Reseda.

In the meantime, the Chancellors (6-2) have been practicing since defeating Carson 8-0 on March 25.

“The West Valley League is always a tough league,” Chatsworth pitcher/outfielder Aaron Brown said. “The teams are pretty good, and there are always a lot of good games to watch.”

Every team in the league has a record of .500 or better. Taft is 7-2, Birmingham is 8-3, Cleveland is 9-5, El Camino Real is 8-5, and Granada Hills is 6-4.

“I know the competition level is up,” Brown said. “A lot of teams are older groups with a lot of seniors, and we have an older group, too. It’s going to be fun.”

Some of Chatsworth’s other top players are Steven Karnenny, Angel Rodriguez, Brady Conlan, Ricky Obando, Ryan Escobar and Chris Carlin.

“We’re very excited to begin league. We’re still working hard in practice and getting ready,” Karkenny said.

Chatsworth also is participating in the annual ultra competitive National Classic tournament in Orange County, featuring several of the best programs in the country. It’s a grueling tournament in which the champion must win four games in four days – always tough on pitching staffs.

Chatsworth has as deep a staff as anyone with Karkenny, Brown and Rodriguez all returning standouts, plus the anticipated return of All-City right-hander Christian Lopez, who has been sidelined with arm problems.

The tournament begins April 18, and local powers Chaminade of West Hills and Alemany of Mission Hills are participating, too. Chatsworth could meet Chaminade on the third day in the semifinals.

“The National Classic is definitely going to be a good test, not just for our pitching but for our entire team as a whole,” Karkenny said. “In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.”

St. Francis of Elk Grove, Maxpreps’ No. 2 team in California and No. 5 in the nation, is participating, along several top out-of-state programs.

CHATSWORTH SOFTBALL IN REBUILDING MODE

After winning 25 games and finishing as a City Section championship runner-up last season, Chatsworth’s softball team is off to a rough start. The Chancellors are 4-7, 1-2 in the West Valley League heading into the Birmingham High tournament beginning on Saturday.

Several hitters are doing well, including freshmen Kaitlyn Rider and Tesharra Hill. Rider is batting .450 with two home runs, and Hill is batting .368 with one home run. Stephanie Sammons is batting .364.

Chatsworth has committed 23 errors in 11 games, and senior pitcher Karlie Barbato is 3-3 with a 4.05 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 36 innings.

KEEPING TABS

Former softball standout Cheyenne Coyle, who graduated last year, is having a great freshman season at University of Florida. She has won a spot as the starting shortstop, and she is batting .308 with six home runs and 32 RBIs in 34 games.