Newbury Park High School Baseball

As seen in the April 2012 edition of Ventura County Youth Sports

                        Photo Credit: Maria Botello

Luke Eubank, senior.

Returning to the diamond with a roster loaded with talent, and some of the top prospects in California, the currently undefeated varsity baseball team from Newbury Park High School has set itself in an ideal position to claim this year’s Marmonte league crown.

Though the Panthers have made it deep into playoffs in recent seasons, it has been six years since the team has won a league championship. Competition in the Marmonte League is fierce, and the difference between winning and losing the title often comes down to a single pitch during the final week of the regular season.

This year, more than half of the players that make up Newbury Park’s roster have had experience on the varsity team, and the Panther’s strong senior base is willing to do whatever it takes to make their last year playing high school ball count.

Chris Murphree, senior.

“I can see the dedication and drive in our player’s eyes,” Taylor Zander, an infielder who also has power at the plate, said. “I know that this year we are not going to settle for anything less than first. We’ve been winning games in the seventh inning, pushing that much harder, and proving that we will not give up fighting until the very end.”

The Panthers are armed with a heavy batting lineup, including biggest batter Joe Christian, designated hitters Myles Harvey and Jake Larson, Colton Waltner, who hit the game winning home run during the preseason game against Loyola, and Daniel Barnett who bat in 22 of his teammates last season.

However, the team’s most threatening weapon comes from the center of the diamond.  Ace pitcher Luke Eubank is undoubtedly the highest ranked pitcher in the league. He was named the Panther’s player of the week after pitching the second no-hitter in the school’s history while striking out eleven opponents during a non-conference game on Mar. 3. Also on the mound is senior flame-thrower Chris Murphree, who took the win against Moorpark on Mar. 16 while allowing only one run.

For Newbury Park’s opponents, a hit towards right field is not an option. Senior Scotty Caligiuri guards the area with his golden glove, and is currently leading the league’s outfielders in put-outs, without error.

Dominic Lovullo, senior.

“It’s safe to say we are one of the most talented teams in the league when looking at our roster,” captain Dominic Lovullo, a fourth year varsity player who offers steady shortstop defense, said. “Now it’s all about going out there and performing.”