BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: GIVE 'EM A BREAK UNEARNED RUNS HURTING LANCASTER TEAM.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

Perhaps Wednesday's 7-5 victory over West Hills (A) is a sign that things are about to change for the Lancaster (A) baseball team.

Justin Keeney's two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh clinched the win for the Eagles, who have struggled to a 4-7 record in the American Legion District 20.

``We're not playing bad baseball, but we're not getting the breaks,'' Lancaster coach Doug Martin said. ``If you take away all the unearned runs, we're 7-4 not 4-7.''

Keeney might not have had the opportunity if it weren't for Brett Jacobs, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth to tie the game at 3-3. Tyler Apuan pitched the sixth and the seventh to pick up his second win.

``We're seeing better competition and the guys will get better because of that,'' Martin said. ``We're hitting the ball pretty well and if we can be consistent, we'll be OK in our final nine games.''

Summer success: The Canyon High baseball team is familiar with the pressures of postseason play, having lost in the Southern Section Division II championship game earlier this month. That experience could prove to be invaluable.

But for now, the Cowboys are focused on improving over the summer in the Valley Invitational League. And the early indications are encouraging for the Cowboys, winner of six of their first seven games.

``It was a good experience and we can build on it,'' Canyon coach Adam Schulhofer said, referring to the school's first championship-game appearance. ``We want to keep it going and these summer games allow us to develop players for next season.''

Considering Canyon graduated 13 seniors from a year ago, developing this group quickly will be both challenging and crucial for the team's success in 2003.

Clay Britton, Billy Omahen, Dan Hagman and Casey Klein, who pitched 30 innings and finished 4-0 a year ago, are the only returning players and they have provided leadership. Omahen and Hagman are competing for outfield positions along with Drew Peterson and Trevor Davidson.

``It's pretty much a new roster of guys, so we're shuffling the line-up around as the guys are trying to figure out their roles,'' Schulhofer said. ``It's a long time until the the season starts, but we're anxious to see who will emerge for us. Things will become clearer and clearer as the summer progresses.''

--Without Valaika: Hart of Newhall (7-3) is managing to do well in the Valley Invitational League despite being without its top player Chris Valaika, who is competing with a Babe Ruth all-star team in Joplin, Mo., where he has a chance to earn a spot on the USA Junior National Team.

The shortstop and three-year starter has played in just five games, but he has received recruiting interest from several Pac-10 and Big East programs.

``It's been challenging at times to field a competitive team, but so far we've done all right,'' said Hart coach Jim Ozella, who is managing to find ways for his returning players to get playing time while bringing along the newcomers slowly.

``That's the purpose of this summer league. It's a good opportunity for the kids to improve and the younger guys to come up and make a name for themselves.''

According to Ozella, Shane Carlson and Robert Van Scoyoc are making good impressions in their attempts to earn playing time in the middle of the Indians infield.

Kyle Boggio, Paxton Howard and Todd Wilson are playing with the baseball team and the football team.

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Photo:

(photo ran in SAC edition only) Clay Britton is one of only a handful of returning players at Canyon High and is turning in a solid performance this summer.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer