American Legion Playoffs : Breeden Finds Breakfast of Champions

A heavy breakfast and a light good-luck charm have helped propel the Van Nuys-Notre Dame American Legion team to the District 20 final.

Van Nuys-Notre Dame Coach Jody Breeden, who says that he rarely eats before lunch, has maintained a regimen of eating pancakes and carrying a feather in his back pocket for the past week.

The superstitions may have made a difference Saturday, when his team rallied for a 6-5, 10-inning victory over Chatsworth at Birmingham High to advance to the championship.

Breeden may have one extra obstacle to clear, though, as Chatsworth Coach Fred Bluhm said he would file a protest over a lineup card error in the 10th inning. The protest was to be reviewed this morning, Bluhm said.

Van Nuys, which tied the score, 5-5, in the ninth on Chad Ratliff’s run-scoring single, loaded the bases in the 10th on an error and two walks. With two out, Matt McElreath hit a single, scoring Chris Lohman from third to end the game.

“Pancakes and the feather,” Breeden boasted. “It even worked for Chatsworth.”

Jeff Antoon drove in four of Van Nuys’ runs, but flew out to center when he came up with the bases loaded in the ninth and the score tied.

In a 7-4 Chatsworth win that eliminated Woodland Hills (West) earlier Saturday, Bluhm found a feather similar to Breeden’s in the seventh inning.

Vince Simili hit a solo home run moments later, giving Chatsworth the lead for good.

Van Nuys (19-11) meets Studio City (20-9) today at 11 a.m. at Birmingham. Should Van Nuys win, a second game for the title will be played at 3 p.m.

Regardless of the outcome, however, both teams advance to the Area 6 playoffs, which begin Thursday in Pomona.