The Cardiac Kids

The Westlake High baseball team, affectionately dubbed the “Cardiac Kids,” is making waves with an impressive streak of five consecutive walk-off victories during home games. Their exciting play style has earned them a reputation for clutch performances, particularly in the later innings of tightly contested matches.

Recent Games and Highlights

The drama began on March 22 when the team notched their first walk-off win of the season against Palisades, with Noa Nakagawa reaching base on an error to secure a 2-1 victory in the bottom of the seventh inning. This was just the start of a series of thrilling finishes that captivated their fans:

• March 25: A 6-5 win over Newbury Park, featuring an RBI single from Mason Charles in the seventh.
• March 28: Noah Stead’s impressive three-run homer in the seventh led to a 4-1 victory over Newbury Park.
• April 3: Blake Miller’s critical RBI single in the bottom of the eighth resulted in a tense 1-0 win against Calabasas.
• Latest Game: On Tuesday, Mason Charles delivered yet another memorable moment with a one-out home run in the bottom of the tenth, clinching a 3-2 win over Thousand Oaks.

Coaching Insights

Coach Wally Barnett highlighted the intense nature of these games, noting with humor, “Come in the seventh inning because before that it’s pretty boring.” He also shared candidly about the toll these games take on him: “I have less hair and more gray with all the walk-off victories.” Barnett’s experience includes a memorable playoff game that extended to 19 innings two seasons ago, underscoring the team’s capacity for thrilling finishes.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, Coach Barnett and the team are optimistic about their performance heading into the playoffs, potentially facing even more high-pressure situations complete with celebratory moments. When asked about any superstitions or strategies behind their success, Barnett humorously remarked, “If I knew, I would keep it going.”