CHATSWORTH ON A ROLL LEE'S HOME RUN BLAST TRIGGERS ROUT OF GRANADA HILLS CHATSWORTH 10, GRANADA HILLS 0.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

In a matter of eight pitches, Chatsworth High's baseball team turned a close West Valley League game against Granada Hills into another rout.

The Chancellors beat the Highlanders (7-6, 3-3) in five innings for the second time in three days, as Ryan Barba and Brian Lee hit three-run home runs in the fourth inning of a 10-0 victory at Chatsworth.

Chatsworth (11-1-1, 4-0) held a tenuous 2-0 lead in the fourth but broke the game open on its second trip through the order against Granada Hills starter Ed Degerman (2-2)

With one out, Brian Levinson and Justin Hanchett each swung at the first pitch they faced and hit infield singles. Barba hit the next pitch over the left-field fence.

``That really broke it open for us,'' Chatsworth coach Tom Meusborn said. ``We kind of went on a roll after that.''

The Chancellors needed just five pitches to score three more runs. Danny Dominguez singled and moved to third on Gregg Wallis' double, and Lee hit a 1-0 fastball far over the scoreboard in right field for an 8-0 lead.

``In all my years here, I don't think I've ever seen one go over the handball courts,'' said Meusborn, in his 11th year at Chatsworth. ``I've seen a few go foul, but he just crushed that. He broke the game wide open.''

Chatsworth ended the game in the fifth inning with four consecutive hits, including consecutive RBI singles by Dominguez and Wallis, and made a winner of sophomore pitcher Joe Guntz, who improved to 5-0.

Guntz battled through the early innings but kept the Highlanders scoreless. Guntz gave up an infield single to the first batter he faced, Ryan Braun, then picked him off. The next batter, Dale Curry, drew a walk but was also picked off. The Highlanders would get two more runners on base in the first but strand them when Degerman struck out swinging.

In the second, Granada Hills loaded the bases with two outs, but Thomas Schultz struck out swinging. The Highlanders put runners on first and second with one out in the third, but Guntz struck out Bobby Baca and Scott Rapkin to end the threat.

``He got himself out of a few jams and that's good to see, especially for a sophomore,'' Meusborn said. ``It wasn't easy though, because (the Highlanders) always seemed to be one hit away from taking the lead.''

Mike Seiser had three singles to lead the Highlanders, who left a total of nine runners on base. Guntz threw 60 pitches through three innings but retired eight of the last 10 batters he faced and struck out eight.

``After Tuesday, I knew coach (Steve) Thompson would have them ready to play,'' Meusborn said. ``They had some chances, but they couldn't cash in, but they definitely came and competed hard.''

Chatsworth scored two unearned runs in the first. Lee hit a one-out double and scored when Jacob Ball's hard grounder deflected off the glove of Rapkin, the Highlanders' first baseman. Ball was thrown out attempting to take second base on the throw, but the next batter, Brett Munson, singled up the middle and scored when Brian Levinson's pop fly to center was lost in the sun and dropped in.

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Photo: Chatsworth pitcher Joe Guntz got plenty of help Thursday afternoon as his team rolled to a 10-0 win over Granada Hills.

Eric Grigorian/Staff Photographer