WEST OWES VICTORY TO CHATSWORTH WEST 11, EAST 4.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Even when they are playing just for fun, Chatsworth High's baseball players don't stray from their winning form.

Less than a week after completing an undefeated high school season and likely securing a second consecutive national championship, Chatsworth's Willie Cabrera and Jason Dominguez were at the heart of an 11-4 come-from-behind victory for the West in the 28th annual Daily News Bernie Milligan All-Star Game on Saturday at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa.

Cabrera was named the game's MVP for hitting a three-run homer in the sixth inning, the only home run of the game.

``It's definitely a good feeling,'' Cabrera said. ``I couldn't imagine it any better. A City title, a national championship and now a home run in the Bernie Milligan game. What's next?''

Cabrera, who has not made a college commitment, kept Chatsworth fans guessing what he would do next all season as the second baseman routinely outdid himself en route to a state single-season-record 72 hits, including a school-record 11 home runs. After Tuesday's City championship, he was honored as the outstanding player of the postseason.

The Pepperdine-bound Dominguez was just as valuable in extending Chatsworth's winning streak to a state-record 50 games, and he came through again Saturday.

Dominguez drove in the West's first runs with a two-run double in the third inning. He scored a batter later on a single up the middle by Agoura's Jonathan Fersht to cut the East's lead to 4-3.

``What can I say, we like to win,'' joked Cabrera, who also was joined on the West by Chatsworth teammates Mike Fernandez, the starting catcher, and left-hander Jake Norton, who pitched the second inning. ``But today I was going out to have some fun, one last time to play with my guys.''

Chatsworth players weren't the only standouts.

Oak Park right-hander Garrett Ozar pitched two perfect innings with four strikeouts for the West. Thousand Oaks ace Brian Bird added two more shutout innings for the West, striking out four with no walks and one hit allowed.

Simi Valley's Mike Roe struck out two in a scoreless ninth as part of a West staff that held the East to one hit after its four-run second.

East left fielder Steve Susdorf from Hart of Newhall contributed a two- run triple, and Kennedy of Granada Hills right fielder Ozzie Lewis followed with an RBI double to give the East its 4-0 advantage in the second. The Fresno State-bound Lewis also walked and stole two bases in the first inning.

Montclair Prep of Panorama City shortstop Grant Bomann ignited the second-inning rally with a single for the game's first hit. Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta's P.J. Rousey singled in Littlerock's Billy Haynes, who had walked, for the first run.

But with a lineup loaded with sluggers - four members batted at least .500 this season and nine others hit better than .400 - it was only a matter of time before the West offense came to life.

Camarillo's Arizona-bound Brett Scyphers, who had a hit in every game this season, continued his hot hitting with a single in the third before Dominguez and Fersht provided the big blows of the inning.

The West, which also received a two-run double from Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's Greg Cole and two hits from Newbury Park's Chuckie Fick, took the lead for good with four runs in the fifth.

``I wish I could coach this team every day,'' said West co-coach Frank Mutz from Oaks Christian.

The West had nine hits a year after suffering a no-hit loss.

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Willie Cabrera is congratulated by West teammates at home plate after the Chatsworth second baseman hit a three-run homer.

(2) West third baseman Zak Landrum (8) receives the throw a little late to tag out the East's Steve Susdorf, who hit a two-run triple.

(3) Chatsworth's Willie Cabrera, who hit the only home run Saturday, was named the game's MVP.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer