Westlake Upsets Simi Valley, Makes 5-A Division Playoffs

Westlake High scrambled to live up to some of its lofty preseason expectations Thursday at Simi Valley by upsetting the Pioneers, 4-2, to clinch third place in the Marmonte League and earn its second consecutive trip to the playoffs.

Newbury Park was eliminated from playoff consideration by dropping a 3-2 decision to Thousand Oaks. The Panthers (13-13, 5-7 in league play) would have qualified ahead of Westlake (15-11, 6-6) had they won.

Craig Cooper’s three-run home run in the sixth inning off Simi Valley reliever Mike Laker capped a four-run rally.

Cooper’s blast made a winner of John Chiaramonte (6-2), who allowed five hits, including Darren Aurand’s solo home run in the fifth.

Cooper, who hit a two-out, 3-and-1 fastball, was the first batter Laker faced. Rich Langford (6-3) was the loser.

“It’s extremely satisfying,” said Westlake Coach Dennis Judd, who announced to his players before the game that this would be his last season. “We have everything happening right, and it’s just at the right time going into the playoffs.”

Simi Valley, which won its third consecutive league championship with a 4-3 victory over Thousand Oaks on Wednesday, is 21-5, 10-2 in league.