The Malibu High School boys varsity baseball team opened the season on Feb. 29 with a dramatic win at home against Marshall High. Justin Hale’s two-run single capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Malibu the 4-3 victory. Matt Cathcart had a strong performance as the starting pitcher and Tony Gwyn picked up the win in relief.
Malibu traveled to San Pedro on March1 for a game with Mary Star of the Sea. The Sharks had strong pitching performances by starter Jacob Perrin and reliever Jesse Conrad. Matt Bordier had three RBIs. However, Mary Star scored a run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 5-4 victory.
The Sharks posted their second win at home on March 5 against Los Angeles Baptist. In spite of giving up 13 hits, Nate Schoenbrun, Cathcart, and Gwyn shut down the Knights’ offense when they had to. Timely hitting by Conrad, Keith LaMasney, and Perrin contributed to Malibu’s 6-5 win, as did a nice defensive play by Monty Biglow at second base in the seventh inning.
Playing in the semifinals of the Blue Division of the Southern California Invitational/Royal Tournament at La Canada High on March 7, the Sharks came out on the short end of a 14-2 score. Perrin scored both Malibu runs, but it wasn’t enough against the hard-hitting Spartans.
In the game for third-place on Saturday at Malibu High against the South East Jaguars, Stephen Williams hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left field fence in the first inning. Perrin gave up one run in five innings and got strong relief help from Sean Conrad as the Sharks rolled to a 6-1 win.
Coach Paul Gallo’s team hosts New Roads for a single game at Malibu High on Thursday and Antelope Valley for a doubleheader on Saturday before taking a 10-day break.