Baseball: Marmonte League starts with drama

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It only figured that the Marmonte League opener between Royal, ranked No. 7 by The Times, and No. 9 Newbury Park would be full of drama and excitement.

Jimmie Sherfy of Newbury Park started it off with a three-run home run in the first inning off Cody Buckel. Royal, trailing 5-3 in the top of the seventh, got a three-run double from Ryan Cerda to take a 6-5 lead.

Then, in the bottom of the seventh, Michael Dennis delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game, and Taylor Zander was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs to win it for Newbury Park, 7-6.

Royal dropped to 5-1 overall. Newbury Park improved to 5-1.

In other Marmonte openers, Westlake defeated Calabasas, 5-0, with Cameron Cuneo throwing six shutout innings. Simi Valley defeated Agoura, 6-4.

Here’s a quick video on the Panthers’ victory:

-- Eric Sondheimer