Slayton Provides the Difference in Westlake-Royal’s 4-3 Victory

Shane Slayton missed his team’s opening game in the Gene Waid American Legion baseball tournament because he had to go to summer school. His coach wondered aloud whether Slayton’s presence would have made a difference in Westlake-Royal’s one-run loss to Ventura.

A day later, the coach had an answer.

Slayton doubled home the winning run in the final inning Friday as Westlake-Royal defeated Escondido, 4-3, in the second day of Waid tournament pool play at Moorpark College.

With the score tied, 3-3, in bottom of the seventh, No. 9 hitter Ty Varing drew a leadoff walk. Two outs later, Escondido (6-1) intentionally walked Rob Neal, who had two hits in three at-bats. Varing moved to second.

Slayton doubled to the fence on the next pitch, driving in Varing with the winning run.

“We were wondering if having him (Thursday) would have helped,” Westlake-Royal Coach Mike McClure said.

“I think he would have.”

Left-hander James Clark (4-1) allowed just three singles to Escondido, which advanced to the state tournament last summer in Yountville. Clark walked three and struck out three.

Westlake-Royal’s Dave Landaker was two for three with a double and triple.

Westlake-Royal improved to 13-4 overall, 1-1 in the four-day tournament.