Camhi, Rubanowitz Back in Coyotes Lineup Tonight

Jacob Camhi and Alex Rubanowitz haven't played in every Valley Invitational Baseball League game for Calabasas High this summer due to prior commitments.  

That, however, hasn't prevented the tandem from being extremely productive when they have been in uniform for the Coyotes and actually in the starting lineup.  

And their respective contributions, not so surprisingly, were rewarded when the VIBL announced the participants for Saturday's all-star game. 

Both Camhi and Rubanowitz were selected to represent Calabasas in the contest, which was held at North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake High.  

"When you talk about key pieces to the puzzle for us, guys like Camhi and Rubanowitz come to mind,'' Coyotes coach Ed Edsall said. "Each kid brings so much to the table, and as a coach, you definitely like having those types of players in your program.''  

Rubanowitz has been on an absolute tear for the better part of the last month.   In eight games, the shortstop is batting .522, an average that ranks him fifth best in the league.

Rubanowitz has 16 hits, scored seven runs and totaled eight RBI for the Coyotes.  

"What can you say about Alex, he's been in the zone,'' Edsall said. "When guys are hot like that, you leave them alone and let them go out there and do their thing.''  

Camhi has been pretty good in his own right.  

His average, currently at .391 for Calabasas, has been hovering right around .400 over the past four-plus weeks. Can't forget to mention the fact that Camhi's on-base percentage (.517) is one of the best the league has to offer, so is his slugging percentage (.696).  

Camhi has nine RBI in a eight games thus far, ranking him among the top 10 in league play. Just imagine his total had he played in each of the Coyotes' 12 games.

"Jacob has been swinging it too,'' Edsall said. "He's got a great approach at the plate. He's patient and that's allowed him to do well. There's times when he gets into the batters box and knows that he can deliver a big hit for us in a big situation.'' 

With Camhi and Rubanowitz playing well, it's hard to believe that the Coyotes (3-9) haven't been doing the same.

For the most part, Calabasas has struggled this summer and perhaps it's because the Camhi-Rubanowitz combination has missed four games.  

Nevertheless, the tandem was in attendance at Saturday's all-star game. And moving forward, there's no reason to think that Camhi and Rubanowitz won't continue to contribute for the Coyotes over the course of the rest of summer.  

Calabasas plays Harvard-Westlake on Wednesday, a game against Crespi on Friday looms thereafter and Camhi and Rubanowitz are expected to be in the lineup.

That means a pair of victories are a distinct possibility. 

"Jacob and Alex are very consistent,'' Edsall said. "Anytime we have the two of them, we like our chances to win. Getting them together at the same is another story. That's not to say they're not here for their teammates. They just have other things going on right now and we understand that. We love having them around when they're around."