Oaks Christian’s Elijah Clayton Hits Walk-Off Home Run to Defeat Newbury Park 4-3

In a thrilling Marmonte League matchup on Friday, Oaks Christian’s Elijah Clayton delivered a walk-off home run to secure a 4-3 victory over Newbury Park. Despite nursing a hamstring injury from a previous game, Clayton stepped up when it mattered most to help his team clinch the win.

The game started off with Newbury Park taking an early lead, scoring two runs in the fifth inning. However, Oaks Christian fought back and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run single from Carson Sheffer. The game remained tied until Clayton’s heroics in the seventh inning.

With Quentin Young on base, Clayton smashed a rocket to left field, allowing Young to cross home plate and seal the win for Oaks Christian. The victory was crucial for the Lions, as they now sit in second place in the Marmonte League standings behind Westlake and Calabasas.

Clayton, a Cal Berkeley commit, expressed his determination to contribute to the team despite his injury, stating, “I was feeling my swing the whole game. It felt good. I knew it was going to come and I was just trying to get a base hit there and get my next man up and just caught one.”

Pitcher Connor Sahagun also played a key role in the win, coming in to relieve James Latshaw and holding off Newbury Park’s offense in the late innings. Coach Royce Clayton praised Sahagun’s performance, highlighting his ability to work out of tough situations and keep the team in the game.

The victory was a sweet redemption for Oaks Christian, who had previously suffered several heartbreaking losses. Coach Clayton remained optimistic throughout those tough times, believing that his team’s hard work would eventually pay off.

With the win, Oaks Christian looks to build momentum as they continue their pursuit of the Marmonte League title. The Lions will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games and solidify their position in the league standings.