Shepard Tends to Westlake’s Flock of Victories

And a Shepard shall lead them . . .

Westlake High is something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a team without a huge star that nevertheless tears apart opponents limb from limb. Players up and down the lineup have contributed to the Warriors’ 12-0 start and No. 11 national ranking, but nobody has been more instrumental than leadoff hitter Jon Shepard.

A senior center fielder, Shepard is batting .595 and has scored 26 runs while driving in 14, meaning he produces 3.3 runs a game. Shepard, a left-handed hitter, has not struck out, has 11 stolen bases and six doubles.

“Right now, he’s the toughest out around,” Coach Chuck Berrington said. “He hits deep in the count, hits the ball hard and creates havoc on the bases. Jon is the perfect leadoff hitter.”

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Moorpark pitchers Robbie Jaegge, Beto Macias and David Burckin are not seniors, yet they are pretty much immune to pressure. That’s what playing on national television at age 12 will do for you.

The trio, along with several of their Musketeer teammates, were members of the 1996 Moorpark Little League team that advanced to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

“They are a great group of kids who are really close because of all the baseball they’ve played together over the years,” Coach Scott Fullerton said.

Second baseman Blake Sharpe, another of the former Little League stars, plays second base and is batting .385. Burckin is batting .395 and is 2-1 with an earned-run average of 1.97.

Jaegge and Macias are left-handers who have a combined 2.35 ERA in 44 innings.

“They all pitch with a lot of savvy,” Fullerton said.