When facing the New York Giants for a third time in 1923, after two back to back World Series losses, Babe Ruth said “I have only one superstition: I make sure I touch all the bases when I hit a home run.”

But when it comes to Marmonte League ball, superstitions run high, especially in the Highlander’s dugout. Last year, after defeating Newbury Park in the second conference game by a score of 9-8, the varsity team went on to  finish the league season on a 12 game winning streak, and continue into the play-offs positioned in the fourth seat. Last Thursday, April 5^th the Highlanders defeated the Panthers during their second matchup once again, breaking both Newbury’s winning streak, and their own losing streak.

On paper, Newbury Park should have beaten the Royal Highlanders- they had a higher winning percentage, a supportive home crowd, and a lineup energized by Tuesday’s win (a 4-0 victory over the Highlanders).

But despite the impressive numbers, the only number that mattered was not in Newbury’s favoring at the game’s end- a 10-3 loss for the Panthers.

On the mound: starting pitcher Chris Kovach (left) and

closing pitcher Michael Dennis (right) held Newbury Park

to three runs in their 10-3 victory over the Panthers. 

Photo credits: Maria Botello (mariabotello12@gmail.com)

Chris Kovach, the same pitcher that threw the final three scoreless innings in the previous year’s upset, started on the mound for Royal. Newbury went through five pitching rotations in attempt to slow their opponent’s hitting game down, while Royal’s batters continued producing grounders to unguarded zones in the outfield. 

“We just needed to get our confidence back up,” Kovach, sophomore, said. “We have a lot of experienced players on the team and we are capable of playing a lot better than we have been. We started out strong in the first two innings, and our confidence reflected in our performance throughout the rest of the game.”

                “Everyone pulled together,” Michael Dennis, senior continued. “There was a lot of energy to feed off of and the hitters were putting up runs on the scoreboard, which made it a lot easier on us pitchers.”

Dennis pitched the closing three innings of the game, in which he struck out 2 opponents without allowing any runs.

“Before the game our captain, Nick Kinsman, pulled us aside and told us to stop worrying about our position in league and focus on having fun,” Dennis said when asked what made the difference between Tuesday’s loss and Thursday’s win. “He reminded us of how much we love this sport, and we went out and got the job done.”

“Baseball is basically like my girlfriend,” Kinsman said, jokingly. “There are ups and downs, but in the end I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Other teams in Marmonte League should fear that- our love for the game, our mental drive, and how hard we’re willing to work to get a win.”

Kinsman took a .894 fielding percentage with 71 put-outs into Thursday’s game, in which he made a double, two runs, and bat two of his teammates home as a designated hitter. The versatile athlete’s experience shows in all areas of the game- the infield, outfield, on the mound and at bat. An avid baseball player since he was four years old, he is returning to the diamond for his third year on the varsity staff, after having made the 1^st team for all Ventura County and Marmonte League, and receiving the Highlander award (Coaches MVP) in the 2011 season. The preeminent senior is looking to continue his baseball career at a D1 college next spring.

At the plate: Seniors Artherton Kniseley (left) and Nick Kinsman (right) 

both offer steady defense in the field and power at plate. 

Leading the team in Runners bat in (14) and home runs (2) is Atherton Kniseley, who contributed one run and three RBIs to his team’s win against Newbury. The starting third baseman has also been apart of the varsity staff for the past three years, and will expand his love for the game on local diamonds next year, while playing for the Cal Lutheran Knights.

“I’m hoping that this win will spark my team; remind us of what we are capable of,” he said. “We’ve had a rough start, but that does not mean we are not contenders. We’re the team that continues battling, diving for balls, and looking to hit throughout all seven innings, even when we’re down. We won’t give up that easy.”

The Highlanders have been averaging about 22 hours of practice a week, familiarizing themselves with both the sport and their teammates, and focusing on each aspect of the game individually. Unlike most of their opponents, the team does not have a single ace pitcher. Kovach is the only Highlander returning to the pitching staff with varsity experience, which stresses the importance of getting runs on the board in compensation.

“It’s been a real growing experience for us. There’s a fine line between analyzing the negatives to improve our game and demoralizing the athletes,” head coach Dan Maye said. “Ultimately it’s been about overcoming ourselves first, and our opponent second.”

            Royal will be facing their cross-town rival Simi Valley in their next league conference game Wednesday, April 18^th. Whether or not the win against Newbury ignites their winning streak once again, their victory that pushed the Panther’s below Agoura in Marmonte League standings may be the upset that will determine who takes this year’s crown.