CHATSWORTH STAR HAS THE LONE HIGHLIGHT SOPHOMORE'S HR NOT ENOUGH AGAINST ECR.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

What a dream come true for Matt Dominguez.

The Chatsworth High sophomore became one of only a few players in City Section baseball history to hit a championship game home run at Dodger Stadium during a 5-1 loss to El Camino Real of Woodland Hills on Saturday.

The home run certainly was legitimate, a 360-foot line shot in the first inning that landed about five rows into the bleachers near the left-field bullpen.

``This is the 37th year we've had the City championship at Dodger Stadium, and I think only three or four have ever hit one over the wall,'' said longtime section official Jeff Halpern. ``That must be an amazing feeling for a kid to hit a home run during the championship game at Dodger Stadium. It's a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment and something he'll remember for the rest of his life.''

Dominguez, however, wasn't particularly thrilled after the game. The 15-year-old would have much rather won the title, but as things turned out his home run was Chatsworth's only highlight.

``I don't know. I guess it's pretty exciting but I'm kind of disappointed,'' Dominguez said. ``Yes, everyone dreams about hitting a home run in a major-league stadium but I'm disappointed we didn't win, so whatever. This isn't what I came here for.''

Dominguez's home run was his 10th of the season and 18th of his Chatsworth career. He's well on pace to shatter just about every significant hitting record in California history - his 65 RBI as a freshman is a state record, and he added 49 this season.

``As far as records are concerned, I don't really concentrate on all that stuff. I just work hard and don't pay attention to the stats,'' Dominguez said. ``If it happens, it happens.''

That's just the attitude Chatsworth coach Tom Meusborn has come to expect from his prized slugger whose No. 3 is the same number as Babe Ruth's.

``It's real neat to hit a home run at Dodger Stadium, but I'm sure Matt would have traded that home run for a victory,'' Meusborn said. ``He expects to win every time he puts on a uniform.''

This was Chatsworth's third consecutive trip to Dodger Stadium, and Dominguez nearly hit a home run last year, too.

``It was a night game last year, and Matt hit it all the way to the wall,'' Meusborn said. ``If it was a day game like today, it would have gone out.''

Naturally, Dominguez's father, Fernando, was thrilled.

``To be honest, I almost missed it because of the angle and everyone standing up,'' the elder Dominguez said. ``Then when everyone starting cheering, I knew he hit it out. I guess I'll have to see it again on video, but it's got to be something he'll remember forever.''

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Chatsworth's Matt Dominguez rounds the bases after his first inning homer against El Camino Real Saturday.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer