SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: DIV. I: ANOTHER ONE GETS TO SHINE SOPHOMORE PITCHER DOMINANT AS CAMARILLO STARTS OFF STRONG CAMARILLO 6, CAJON 1.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

CAMARILLO - Delmon Young was the one the autograph-seeking kids and the TV crew went to after the game. Young, the potential No. 1 pick in next month's pro draft, had his usual strong game with an RBI triple and a single as the Camarillo High baseball team began defense of its Southern Section title.

But unlike most games during the Scorpions' streak of 23 consecutive victories, Young and the rest of the offense wasn't the story of the day.

Sophomore Eric Komatsu pitched a rare complete game, striking out nine in a four-hitter to give Camarillo a 6-1 victory over visiting Cajon of San Bernardino in Friday's first round of the Div. I playoffs.

``I don't know if I was expecting this,'' Scorpions coach Scott Cline said of Komatsu's performance. ``I really didn't have any apprehension about starting a sophomore, but you're never sure how it's going to work out.''

Komatsu (5-1) didn't allow a hit until the third inning when he gave up two hits and three walks as the Cowboys scored their lone run. After Zac Hansen scored on a wild pitch, Komatsu got out of a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout.

Komatsu didn't allow more than one baserunner an inning the rest of the way, and he struck out the side in the fifth inning.

``He just looked great,'' Cline said. ``I don't think he gave up a hard-hit ball all day.''

Komatsu was making his postseason debut. As a member of the junior varsity team last year, he didn't even attend all of the Scorpions' playoff games last season when Camarillo won the program's first section title.

``I wasn't nervous,'' Komatsu said. ``There's no pressure. I'm the one that puts the pressure on.''

The left-hander, who generously describes himself as 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, is far different than the type of pitcher the Scorpions relied on last year. Graduated ace Travis Sutton, who established the Ventura County record for season wins, and the hard-throwing Young, who isn't pitching this season, accounted for most of Camarillo's innings last year.

No one on this year's staff has more than five wins, but an offense that has scored at least five runs in each victory has kept the Scorpions (23-3) winning after an 0-3 start.

Mike Astorino, Todd Sandell and Young each had two hits against Cajon (18-9).

Camarillo took the lead for good in the second. Sandell hit a solo home run and freshman Abe Candelaria had a two-run double to put the Scorpions up 3-0.