CAMARILLO ENDS SEASON BITTERLY.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Camarillo's postseason didn't go as planned.

After winning 23 of 28 regular-season American Legion baseball games, Camarillo faltered in the Area 6 playoffs, eventually losing 15-7 to Newhall Saugus in an elimination game on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Westwood.

Camarillo went 2-2 in the playoffs, committing a combined 12 errors in the two losses.

``It's hard to explain,'' coach David Soliz said. ``Our defense has never been the strongest part of our game, but I was definitely surprised. It was disappointing to say the least.''

Camarillo's first loss occurred even before the tournament started. Top player Charles Merricks was declared ineligible because he played for Channel Islands High, which is not an official Camarillo legion feeder school, such as Camarillo High and Rio Mesa High.

Soliz thought Merricks was eligible because Merricks actually lives within Rio Mesa High boundaries.

And when Camarillo lost its first playoff game 5-4 to Westside, it meant Camarillo would have to win four games in three days to advance.

After beating Santa Monica 14-10 and Westside 7-2, Camarillo was ousted by Newhall Saugus.

Valley North eventually beat Newhall Saugus on Sunday to advance to the state tournament in Yountville this weekend.

``The errors really hurt us,'' said third baseman Jay Caliguiri, whose two-run home run against Westside on Friday keyed Camarillo's last win of the season. ``Plus, I think we were tired after all the games we had to play.''

Caliguiri did not dismiss the significance of losing Merricks.

``Losing Charles took a bat out of our lineup and also took away a good pitcher,'' Caliguiri said. ``Once we lost the first game and had to play in the loser's bracket, it made it tough. I'm disappointed. I thought we could have played better.''

In the opening loss to Westside on Thursday, Camarillo had a good chance with two-out in the bottom in the ninth, but Jeff Bannon's deep liner was caught at the wall.

Against Santa Monica, Camarillo broke a 10-10 tie with four runs in the eighth, highlighted by Shane Miranda's two-run triple.

Camarillo's season-ending 15-7 loss to Newhall Saugus was ugly. The winners scored nine unearned runs.

On the bright side, Joe Borchard had one of the best individual games of anyone in Game 3, a 7-2 win over Westside. Borchard pitched a nine-inning complete game, allowing eight hits and striking out seven. Borchard also launched the longest home run of the tournament, a soaring drive high over the right-field wall.

``I thought we had a really good season overall,'' Soliz said. ``The kids really improved tremendously on the details of the game. We went 25-7, and that's not too bad.''