Clark Is Costic to Pitchers in 12-3 Panorama City Win

Adam Clark has always admired the talent of Tim Costic, his former teammate at Monroe High and now a fellow member of the Panorama City American Legion baseball team. Clark batted behind Costic all season at Monroe and was in the same position in Friday’s second-round Area 6 playoff game against Westlake-Agoura at Birmingham High.

As usual, it seemed nobody wanted to pitch to Costic, while they were practically lining up to take a shot at Clark.

Yet Clark came through to lead Panorama City to a 12-3 win and into a 12:30 p.m. showdown today with District 20 rival Woodland Hills West, also unbeaten in two Area 6 playoff games. Westlake-Agoura (28-5-4), the District 16 champion, was eliminated after being outscored, 23-3, in two games.

With a runner on second and Panorama City (23-6) trailing, 2-0, in the fourth, Costic was intentionally walked. Clark followed with a two-run double off the center-field fence. In the fifth, Costic was thrown four unhittable pitches--amounting to another intentional walk--and Clark again doubled, driving in a run to give Panorama City a 4-2 lead.

“When they walk a guy ahead of me like that, I get pumped up to hit,” Clark said. “I really just try to put the ball in play.”

Right-hander Roland De La Maza (8-0) threw a nine-hitter, struck out 10 and walked none and Joe Cascione had four hits for Panorama City.