Looks Like Another Hit: Viewpoint's Baseball Team Ready For More Success

Among the Southland’s top small-school baseball programs with 14 league titles over the past 20 years, has another strong program going this season.

The Patriots (6-2) are averaging nine runs, and they’ve won three in a row heading into the Coachella Valley tournament beginning at 2 p.m. next Monday against Indio.

“I feel pretty good. We’re right where we should be,” 22-year coach Frank Pontello said.

Viewpoint finished as a Southern Section Division VII runner-up in 2007, then won the Division VII championship in 2008. The Patriots have since moved up to Division VI, and last year they were 16-7 including a first-round playoff loss.

“We’re poised to make a little push this year,” Pontello said. “It’s going to be about developing our younger pitchers. If we can develop some of those guys, it’s going to be a big key for us.”

Viewpoint is ranked No. 9 in the Division.

Tyler Sprague, a junior right-hander, is 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA and one save. In 17 innings, he has allowed six hits while striking out 22.

“He’s a big boy, 6-foot-3 or 6-4, and he throws hard,” Pontello said. “He throws in the mid-80s with a good breaking ball and good composure.”

Alex Pachino is 1-1 with a 2.80 ERA.

“We kind of use them as a one-two punch,” Pontello said. “Against tougher competition, Tyler will go five innings, and Alex will come in and pitch two innings. Alex has a knuckle curve, and that’s his best pitch.”

Alex Marcun is batting .500 with one home run, seven RBIs and six stolen bases, and Andrew Leon is batting .520 with nine runs.

“Andrew Leon is off to a pretty hot hitting start,” Pontello said.

Viewpoint has won five consecutive Liberty League titles, and this season the Patriots expect strong competition from rival Buckley of Sherman Oaks.

“Buckley is our main competition. We play them at their place on April 14, and that will be a big match up,” Pontello said. “Buckley is really coming on. We lost to them last year at their place and ended up splitting the league title. I’d prefer to have it by myself.”

The Coachella Valley tournament will give Viewpoint a chance to bond. After facing Indio in the afternoon Monday, the Patriots play at Desert Mirage at 6 p.m., followed by games Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s four games in three days, 12 teams overall, and it should be a good thing,” Pontello said. “A lot of the young guys get a chance to hang out and get to know each other a little better.”

CALABASAS LOOKS TO SNAP LOSING SKID

If the bats come alive for baseball team, the Coyotes could really catch fire because they have plenty of excellent pitchers.

Calabasas has lost five in a row heading into a Marmonte League game Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Royal in Simi Valley, and the losing streak has seen the Coyotes fail to produce more than two runs in a game.

One thing for sure: Calabasas is going to be busy. Beginning with the Royal game, the Coyotes play five games over a nine-day stretch.

READY TO SPIKE IT UP

Calabasas’ boys volleyball team is struggling, too. The Coyotes (2-4), coached by Howard Cahn, have lost two in a row heading into a Marmonte League match next Monday at 6 p.m. against visiting Westlake.