There’s nothing like experience in athletics.
Last season New Roads assembled some of the best young baseball talent on the Westside and proceeded to lose 15 of 20 games.
This season, featuring many of the same players the Jaguars have a 9-3 record and are ranked third in CIF Division 7.
“We’re familiar with their talent and we know we’ll be in for a difficult game,” Crossroads co-coach Pat Armstrong said before the teams played April 13 at Clover Park.
New Roads overcame an early deficit to win, 8-4.
The victory added to the prestige of the Jaguars, who previously had defeated Windward and St. Monica.
“Like many schools we don’t have athletic facilities or even a practice baseball field ,but our record is a testament to the progress our program is making,” said Athletic Director Daniel Weslow.
He also refers to “the new athletic culture our school community is truly embracing.”
In the win over Crossroads Anthony Carillo pitched six innings amd Quinn Barbari pitched the seventh, triming out the last batter with runners on second and third.
As a freshman last season Carillo also made an impression on Crossroads, becoming one of the brightest newcomers in Westside baseball by hitting five early season triples.
He compares favorably to Santa Monica High sophomore Adam Padilla, both accomplished pitchers and outfielders and good hitters at a young age.
Currently Padilla is hitting .514, Max Chilkov is at .484. Mike Delgado .456, Blaise Delmonachio 312 and Barbiri .303.
New Roads, which plays many home games at North Venice Little League Park, will later in the season have games against Viewpoint, Rolling Hills Prep and Faith Baptist, plus another game against Windward.
The team hopes for a CIF playoff berth and is on track to receive one.
MITCH CHORTKOFF
Mirror Sports Editorsports@smmirror.com
