El Camino Real’s Effort Is Sparked by Cliffords

After starting the season with four consecutive defeats, the El Camino Real High baseball team has improved tremendously. The Conquistadores have evened their record at 4-4 behind All-City first baseman Woody Cliffords.

Cliffords is batting .600 (12 for 20) with nine runs batted in and two home runs. He also has been walked nine times, twice intentionally.

“He’s a quality ballplayer,” El Camino Real Coach Mike Maio said.

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It looked bleak at first for Quartz Hill’s Brady Robbins in a 17-13 victory over Highland on Friday.

Robbins left his jersey at home and was benched to start the game.

Robbins, the Rebels’ usual center fielder and second hitter, entered the game in the second inning after replacement Eric Connelly made an error that led to two Highland runs.

Robbins, batting in the No. 9 spot, hit a two-run home run to pull Quartz Hill to within 5-4 in his first at-bat and had a two-run single to pull his team to within 11-10 later in the game.

“It’s not too bad hitting ninth,” Robbins said. “They don’t think you can hit so the pitches are a little fatter.”

Robbins finished two for four with four RBIs.