BASEBALL BEAT: INJURIES SLOW DOWN MOORPARK.

Byline: Heather Gripp Daily News Staff Writer

Adjusting to the competitive Marmonte League would have been a big enough challenge for the Moorpark High baseball team. Trying to do it with injuries shaking up the lineup isn't what the Musketeers had in mind.

An appearance in the championship game of the Atascadero tournament and going extra innings against Royal are signs that Moorpark is capable of playing at the level that earned the defending Frontier League champions a berth in last season's Division III quarterfinals. With injuries being a key factor in not being able to turn in such performances on a consistent basis, Moorpark is in fifth place with a 3-6 Marmonte record.

``I wouldn't say we've had a ton of (injuries), but key ones,'' Musketeers coach Scott Fullerton said.

Senior Wes Rasmussen strained a muscle in his back during the first half of league play. The senior has played in the outfield instead of shortstop since then and stopped pitching. He had a 0.67 ERA last season and was just as stingy this year in relief.

``Not having the closer has really hurt us,'' said Fullerton, adding that the team's defense has also been shaky at times.

Freshman Chris Nealon filled in well at third base during Chris Stoddard's absence. Stoddard recently returned and Nealon moved to shortstop. Now Nealon is hurt. He broke a finger fielding a ground ball during practice Tuesday.

One thing that hasn't suffered is the Musketeers' hitting. Brandon Weak and Rasmussen lead an offense that averages approximately seven runs a game. Rasmussen entered the week with a .469 average and seven home runs.

``We've been putting up a lot of runs,'' Fullerton said. ``To score seven against Westlake, you should have a pretty good chance of winning.''

Moorpark (12-12 overall) lost to Westlake 15-7 on Wednesday after scoring seven runs in the first two innings.

A sign of solidarity: When Thousand Oaks players dyed their hair blond, unity was more important than looks.

``We all look like a bunch of goofs,'' shortstop Billy Lockin said.

They may look funny, but the Lancers do it together. The bond between this year's players is exceptionally strong.

``There's not a lot of arguing,'' Lockin said. ``The chemistry's really good.''

Yet another way to help: Randy Curtis is used to sparking Calabasas wins with his hot hitting or steady glove. Now he's doing it with his arm, too. The Coyotes tried Curtis as a pitcher last week and he tossed five shutout innings in a win over Santa Paula.

``We just threw him in there,'' Calabasas coach Rick Nathanson said. ``Based on how he did, we'll probably be using him again.''

On Tuesday, Curtis was back to helping the Coyotes in his usual ways. He went 2 for 3 with a triple in a win that kept Calabasas on track for the Frontier League title.

Champs: Eric Smentek went 3 for 4 and Blake Nelson was 2 for 3 in Wednesday's 8-5 Oak Park victory against Fillmore. The win assured the Eagles (11-5-1, 8-1) of at least a share of the Tri-Valley League title.

Camarillo (19-4, 9-1) clinched the inaugural Pacific View League championship.

The Marmonte race is going down to the final week again. Thousand Oaks (16-5, 8-2) took a half-game lead over Royal when the Highlanders had a bye Wednesday. Westlake is a half-game behind Royal and can move into a share of first with a win today against Thousand Oaks. Westlake's only other remaining league game is against sixth-place Simi Valley next Friday. Thousand Oaks closes the regular season at home Wednesday against Newbury Park (12-10, 5-4), which is also contending for a playoff spot. Royal plays Simi Valley and Agoura next week.