It’s been a strong spring season for Malibu High School sports teams, with multiple squads challenging for postseason honors or recently concluding deep runs. The surfing team returned last week from the state championships, while boys baseball and lacrosse take aim at postseason titles.
Lacrosse
After starting the season 9-1 on the back of an eight-game winning streak, the Malibu High School boys lacrosse team cooled off down the stretch of the regular season but still qualified for the US Lacrosse Southern Section playoffs with an overall record of 11-5. The Sharks, seeded No. 8, were to play No. 9 Oak Park this past Tuesday in the first round. The winner advances to the quarterfinals on Thursday against the winner of No. 16 Brentwood or No. 1 Palos Verdes.
Malibu’s regular season concluded with a tough 10-8 setback to Oak Park last week. The loss created a three-way tie atop the “Independent” league standings amongst MHS, Oak Park and Oaks Christian. The three schools split their meetings against each other. However, Malibu earned the league’s automatic bid to the playoffs by virtue of strength of schedule. The Sharks fell behind early 7-1 to the Eagles, but fought back from an 8-4 halftime deficit with a determined second half. Two goals from Riley Smoller helped ignite a furious comeback in the fourth period only for Malibu to fall short by two goals.
“We did not come out the right way. [We were] a little slow and flat. It cost us pretty bad,” Malibu coach Mark DeOliveira said. “We can’t afford to start off slow because it’s not going to cut it in the playoffs. Everyone will be playing at a high level. We need to come out sharp.”
“Defense wins championships” is an old adage that Malibu must adhere to in order to advance in the challenging postseason. Defenseman Will Rosenthal was clearly frustrated after the loss but kept a positive attitude and had a keen appreciation for the season.
“It was such a blast at the beginning winning eight straight. We had a week off for spring break and it really messed up our groove. It obviously showed on the field,” said Rosenthal, one of 12 seniors on the team. “But I still love all my boys. Probably the most fun team I’ve ever had in my life. We just need to be focused and give it everything from now on.”
“I’m proud of the effort and how we fought back. The kids are starting to get into their groove again. The season in general has been a success but I’m not satisfied yet,” DeOliveira added.
Surfing
The Malibu High School surf team ended its season competing in the State Championships at Oceanside Harbor. Tremendous performances were turned in by Frankie Seely, Danica Downing, Moorea Maguire, Chris Fink, Amor Armony, Barron Hilton and Colby Parker.
The Sharks took third in women’s longboard, fifth in women’s shortboard and third in coed bodyboard. They finished ninth overall in the team competition in both men’s longboard and men’s shortboard.
The women’s longboard made the semifinals and missed making the final by one point while the women’s shortboard made the quarterfinals. The bodyboarders made the semifinals and lost to the eventual winners of the event.
“We did as well as I expected,” Malibu coach Michael Moss said. “The silver lining is that the MHS surf program has grown and the future looks good.”
Baseball
Chalk up two more wins for the MHS baseball team. The Sharks swept secondplace Santa Paula last week 5-3 and 9-4 to open up a three-game cushion in Frontier League action. Malibu, ranked No. 2 in CIF Division VI, is now 20-3 overall and 10-1 in league. Carpinteria trails the Sharks with a 7-4 record. One more win clinches at least a tie for the league championship. A sweep this week against Villanova Prep gives Malibu the outright league title.
In game one against the Cardinals, Chase Lambert went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two doubles. Bronson Bard added two hits and two RBIs. Noah Simon threw five innings allowing five hits, two earned runs and striking out five while picking up his eighth win. Lambert closed the game for his eighth save of the season.
Game two featured another impressive outing by left-hander Andre Simoneau, who in five innings gave up just one run and four hits for the win. Catcher Chris Falk led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, with an RBI and two runs scored. Alvie Alvarado and Riley Mcmillin each recorded two hits on the afternoon with Mcmillin scoring two runs and driving in a pair of RBI’s.
This is the first 20-win season in Malibu baseball history.