CAMARILLO IS CLOSE TO DISTRICT CROWN.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

With six games left to play, the Camarillo ``A'' American Legion team needs just one win to secure the District 16 playoff spot.

Camarillo (18-3) can earn a trip to the Area 6 playoffs at UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium by winning one of its two games today against Thousand Oaks.

The first game starts at 10 a.m. at Camarillo High School.

``We're playing good baseball right now,'' Camarillo coach David Soliz said. ``And if things can fall into place for us, I think we can do well in the playoffs.''

Camarillo's success this year is obvious. Soliz has a team heavy on hitting with plenty of pitching depth.

Unlike the Camarillo team that advanced to the postseason two years ago, this year's club has enough quality pitchers to make a serious playoff run.

Seven pitchers have thrown at least 15 innings and nobody has worked more than 30 innings.

``We don't have to worry about anyone needing rest or getting overworked,'' Soliz said. ``We've got a number of guys that have thrown well.''

Two pitchers who will play next year at Camarillo High School have come on strong.

Shane Miranda is 5-1 with a 3.80 ERA and Dustin Adams is 1-0 with a 2.56 ERA in seven games.

Although Miranda has been effective on the mound, his biggest contributions have come at the plate. He's hitting .519 with four home runs and 29 RBI.

Of his four home runs, three have been tape-measure-type blasts, according to Soliz.

``He's just got tremendous natural power,'' Soliz said. ``He has his share of good solid hits, but he can also hit the ball a long way.''

What makes Camarillo's success more rewarding is that 11 players will return to high school next year. Camarillo High School welcomes back Miranda, Adams, Jay Caligiuri (.350, two home runs, 13 RBI), Joe Yingling (.415, two HR, 19 RBI), John Medina (.400, four RBI, 10 runs) and Eric Foster (.300) from a team that won the Marmonte League championship last season.

Early Christmas present: Newbury Park baseball coach Curtis Scott is ecstatic after learning Barry Tolli, a top baseball player from Utah, is joining the Panthers' program next year.

``It's pretty exciting,'' Scott said. ``He's supposed to be a very good player.''

Tolli, an outfielder, informed Newbury Park catcher Joey Hammer that his family was moving into the area and that he would attend Newbury Park in the fall. The two players met during the Area Code Games tryouts last week in Fresno.

Scott hasn't seen Tolli play yet, but the senior-to-be put up some impressive numbers last year.

As a junior, Tolli batted .562 with eight home runs.

Tolli will play for the 818/805 team in the prestigious Area Code Games Aug. 12-17 in San Diego. He'll likely play center field next year for the Panthers.

``Our starter graduated so we have an opening at that spot,'' Scott said. ``So this works out great.''

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Photo

Photo: Jay Caligiuri is one of several talented young players who have Camarillo on track to win the American Legion District 16 title.

Gene Blevins / Special to the Daily News