MOORPARK TASTES COMPETITION TEAM HAPPY WITH SEASON DESPITE LOSS.

Byline: J.J. Bowman Special to the Daily News

Moorpark now knows the difference between being a big fish in a little pond or a little fish in a big pond. Five years after leaving the Frontier league, Moorpark has solidified itself as a big fish in the competitive waters of the Marmonte League.

``Top to bottom, it's just an outstanding league,'' said Scott Fullerton, who is in his 10th season as the Musketeers coach. ``The level of play is tremendous in the Marmonte League, and our kids have just adapted.''

Moorpark had its first taste of the playoffs this season as a Marmonte representative. In a cruel bit of luck two years ago, the Musketeers finished in a four-way tie for first place but missed out on a playoff berth because of a coin flip. Fullerton said he was told it was the first time in 50 years a CIF league co-champion had its season end that way.

``We felt really horrible a couple of seasons ago,'' he said. ``There's nothing worse than telling a high school baseball team their season is over because of a coin flip.''

Moorpark began and ended the regular season with seven-game win streaks and took advantage of Thousand Oaks' late-season slump to grab a share of the league title. And this time, no coin could keep the Musketeers out.

The Musketeers hosted Righetti of Santa Maria in a Div. II first-round playoff game Friday but lost to the Warriors 8-1.

For Moorpark ace Jason Breckley, the only current player on the team from the coin-flip debacle, having a taste of the playoffs was still a great feeling.

``Only a few teams get to play,'' the senior said. ``It's definitely a good feeling to get here.''

Although Breckley and his teammates were disappointed to lose in the first round, Fullerton said they would bounce back.

``They'll hurt for a few days and then they'll get back to it,'' he said.

To stay competitive in Marmonte, getting back to business requires the players to show the commitment embodied in other teams in the league. That includes the players participating in offseason programs and ensuring academic struggles do not lead to problems on the field.

Players now stay together in summer and fall leagues, adding about 70 games to their regular load. The programs are voluntary, but Fullerton said players see the benefits of the extra practice.

``We don't have to twist any arms to get guys to (participate),'' he said.

For Breckley, summer and fall baseball is a great way to bridge the gap between seasons.

``That's what we like to do,'' he said. ``We like to get prepared for the next season.''

Because of Southern Section rules, Fullerton and his staff can not coach the team in the offseason.

``In a way it's good because we're out of their hair,'' he said. ``We need a break from each other.''

Fullerton also sees his players in the classroom as a health and physical education teacher. The extra interaction helps him keep tabs on their grades, he said. The baseball program has a policy that requires all players with GPAS below 3.0 to participate in study hall three times per week.

``Eligibility is not even an issue because most kids are working for the 3.0 and not the (CIF-required) 2.0,'' he said.

Despite the loss of key seniors, including Breckley and Troy Loehr, who hit a home run in Friday's playoff game, Moorpark has a strong nucleus returning for next season, particularly on the mound. ``We have some pitchers at the lower levels that are going to turn some heads,'' Fullerton said. ``I think we'll have six guys that (throw) 85-plus next year.'' < With playoff experience under its belt and two league co-championships in three seasons, this big fish of Marmonte keeps getting hungrier.

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) Moorpark's Cory Swenson, top, is tagged out in the eighth inning by Righetti's Chris Mathews in Friday's first-round playoff game. The Musketeers came into the playoffs with a seven-game winning streak, but the streak and their season came to an end with an 8-1 loss to the Warriors.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer