THOUSAND OAKS — Oaks Christian and Westlake High School are less than two miles apart.
There wasn’t much that separated the two sides Thursday on the softball diamond either.
Oaks Christian came out on top 5-3 in the first of two Marmonte League matchups for the crosstown rivals.
In a close contest throughout, a clutch double from Lions outfielder Reagen Beck gave them the victory against the Warriors (7-5 overall, 0-1 league).
Beck’s story is closely tied to both programs. First a student-athlete for Westlake, she transferred to Oaks Christian (4-1, 2-0) her sophomore year.
Her two hits and two RBIs Thursday summed up the rivalry pretty well for Oaks Christian’s Trystyn Crutcher.
“(Beck) is such a baller,” Crutcher said. “This game especially meant so much to her and I’m so glad she was able to get that hit, she works so hard.”
Crutcher, the Lions’ freshman pitcher, gave the team a solid two-way performance. Her three strikeouts from the circle complemented her triple in the third inning that opened the scoring for Oaks Christian.
Crutcher showed patience and poise on both sides of the ball. Whether she was down in the count or runners reached base against her, she kept her head high and looked to her teammates and coaches for support. Offensively, she knew the right pitch at the right time makes all the difference.
“It’s a long game, we know when we get down in the first inning we have time,” Crutcher said. “We were able to come back being patient at the plate too, waiting for that pitch you can drive. We did a great job of that today.”
The right pitch for Crutcher came in the third inning with the Lions down 2-0. She smashed a triple deep to right field, sending home Beck, who knocked a single the previous at-bat.
Five Lions earned hits in the frame, leading to three runs that gave them their first lead on the night. Junior shortstop Gianna Garcia drove in the go-ahead run.
After Westlake tied the score in the top of the sixth, another Oaks Christian response followed in the bottom half of the frame.
Beck’s double on a deep fly ball to left field sent two runners to home plate, giving the Lions the lead.
Despite their rivalry on the field, the two schools’ close proximity also fosters bonds centered on their shared community. Following the game’s end, players on both sides high-fived one another and gathered in the center circle.
Oaks Christian head coach Cheyenne Coyle talked about the rivalry’s importance.
“It’s always a fun rivalry with integrity on both sides,” Coyle said. “Competitive softball is good softball, and both teams always have good teams every single year. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day.”
Westlake put together a performance with many positives. Senior shortstop Kira Palmer showcased her speed as she stole two bases.
Oaks Christian continues league play by hosting Aguora on Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. Westlake will play at Camarillo on Saturday at 9 a.m.