Toad batmen crush VPS Wildcats, 15-0
by Misty Volaski

Inexperience killed the wildcat Wednesday when The Thacher School blanked Villanova, 15-0, in five innings.
Coach Muller brought Wildcat James Howard, a sophomore, in to pitch for the first time. Thacher took advantage of this in the beginning of the game, prompting Villanova to relieve Howard with Doug Grey, who had four strikeouts in two innings.
"Baseball is a tough sport. You don't learn in one season," Villanova's varsity boys' baseball coach John Muller said. "We have four guys who have never played baseball before."
Coming off an 8-1 win over Condor League rival Cate last weekend, Thacher threw Villanova for a loop with 15 runs on 11 hits. Thacher did most of its scoring in the second and third innings, when Toad pitcher Charlie Munzig slammed the ball into the left corner to clear the bases. Munzig (2-0), of Ojai, also doubled, singled, scored a run and drove in four Toads while striking out nine Wildcats while on the mound.
Thacher teammate Jimmy Madigan also held his own, going two for two with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Owili Eison went two for three with a run and an RBI.
Thacher profited from Villanova's eight errors - many of which came during crucial moments when a dropped Wildcat ball meant a gained Thacher run.
Villanova's loss of several key players to graduation last year meant coach Muller had a lot of work to do to bring his team up to par. He still does.
Though Villanova credited Wednesday's loss to a novice Wildcat lineup, Muller is confident in his players' potential.
"Our catcher Bill Black has a great baseball mind," Muller said. "And James Howard has never pitched before but did a good job of it."
He cited off-season work as a crucial element in the development of Villanova's team.
"They try hard, and do whatever you ask, but we're just not there yet," Muller said.
Thacher, currently 3-0 in the Condor League and 4-3 overall, plays today at Oaks Christian at 7 p.m.
Villanova, at 0-3 in the Condor League and 0-7 overall, plays tomorrow at home against St. Augustine at noon.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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