BASEBALL : Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Team Compiles Ruthian Talent in Pursuit of a World Series Berth

Sure, it’s the name of the organization and all, but in terms of high school ability, this team truly has Ruthian talent.

The Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks 16-18 Senior Babe Ruth team is stacked with so many standouts that, even though the season is barely under way, some team members are already looking toward the World Series.

A look at the lineup reads like a who’s who in Valley high school baseball. The only debate at this point is over who bats where in the order.

Included on the team are Rex McMackin and Joel Wolfe of Chatsworth and Danny Gil and Luis Porres of Poly. As a junior outfielder, McMackin batted .520 with 24 runs batted in and was named to the All-City and Times All-Valley teams. Wolfe, a junior third baseman, batted .476 with 29 RBIs and was Times All-Valley and All-City.

Chatsworth catcher John Dunn (.352) will handle pitching staff that includes Canyon’s Tim Nedin and UC Riverside’s Scott Hayward, a Notre Dame graduate.

Porres, who will be a senior at Poly next year, is a two-time All-City selection. He batted .475 with 21 stolen bases and 22 RBIs. Gil, the East Valley League MVP, All-City and Times All-Valley player, batted .540 with 40 RBIs. Gil was drafted by the Chicago White Sox but will attend USC on scholarship next season.

“Last year we were a game away from the World Series,� Gil said. “I know we can do it this time. We’re loaded.�

It appears the only way this team could run into trouble is through scheduling conflicts. Wolfe, for instance, is also playing American Legion baseball and will participate in the Junior Olympic Festival in Chapel Hill, N.C., July 11-23.

“The whole idea is to get to the Series,� McMackin said. “We tried to build the best team in the area.�

Santee clause: With an overall record of 13-1 and a bullpen that’s already recorded five saves, the Valley Dodgers would appear to have been blessed with a solid pitching staff and a strong bullpen. Last week, however, the team strengthened its staff by adding right-handed relief pitcher Chris Hadlock of Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Hadlock, who throws side-arm, could play a part in the Dodgers’ showdown series with the San Diego Stars this weekend. The Stars are 4-0 in Golden State League play, percentage points ahead of the Dodgers (7-1).

The teams meet in a four-game series beginning with Saturday’s noon doubleheader at Santana High in Santee, Calif. The teams play two more games at Cal State Northridge on Sunday at noon. Admission to the games at CSUN is $1.

Hadlock joins a pitching staff that has a team earned-run average of 3.00. Steve Dunn is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.59. Fred Riscen is 2-0 and has retired 17 straight batters.

Honor rolling: It was a record year for Westlake High’s baseball team, and the accolades keep piling up. The team was a serious contender for the Marmonte League championship, advanced to the playoffs for the first time in school history and even won its first-round game by upsetting Santa Monica.

To cap the season, Matt Franco and Jim Henderson were the first players from Westlake to be named to the All-Southern Section 4-A team, selected by the First Interstate Bank Amateur Athletic Foundation.

Franco, an infielder who signed with the Chicago Cubs, batted .518 with 7 home runs and 28 RBIs. Henderson, a catcher, batted .454 with 5 home runs and 28 RBIs.

Pitcher-infielder Scott Sharts of Simi Valley was also named to the first team. Pitcher Chris Spears of Crespi was named to the second team. Shortstop Greg Gerber and catcher Tim Laker of Simi Valley made the third team.