Versatile Yingling Gives Camarillo Edge

Who’s the best high school baseball player in Ventura County? Camarillo senior Joe Yingling has staked a claim to that title with a hot bat, a sure glove and a live arm.

Yingling, who entered the week batting .567, is also one of the region’s best catchers and one of the Scorpions’ top pitchers.

For the second time this season, Yingling switched from one end of the Camarillo battery to the other, trotting into the dugout to shed his catcher’s gear before recording the final three outs in a 7-6 victory over Thousand Oaks on Wednesday.

“I’ve learned one thing coaching here and it’s that seniors win you championships,” Coach Scott Cline said. “There was no one I wanted out there in the seventh inning more than Joe Yingling.”

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Crown clocked: Pitcher-outfielder Wes Crown of Kennedy was sidelined last week because he was struck in the eye by a fungo bat on Monday. He suffered a mild concussion and required eight stitches.

“He looks like Rocky Balboa,” Coach Manny Alvarado said.

SOFTBALL

Wake-up call: A little yelling led to some screaming line drives for Hart.

The Indians (15-3), were shut out through six innings against Santa Maria St. Joseph before assistant Jamie Herrington instructed players to throw their bats in a heap in front of the Hart dugout.

“She counted to three and we all yelled, ‘Wake up, bats!,’ ” pitcher Amanda Fortune said.

The Indians immediately scored to claim a 1-0 victory in the Thousand Oaks tournament.