A BREEDEN APART

Van Nuys Show Ball, which has won 23 of its last 24 games, plays Danville today at 12:30 p.m. in the first round of the six-team American Legion state baseball tournament in Yountville.

This is the first time Van Nuys (29-2), comprised of players from Notre Dame, Crespi and Grant highs, has advanced to the state tournament in Coach Jody Breeden’s 15-year tenure.

Van Nuys’ starting pitcher will be either Daniel Rodarte (6-0, 1.54 earned-run average), the only freshman on the team, or Mike Marble (6-0, 1.58 ERA).

Danville (44-9), which defeated Valley Chatsworth in the state final last year, has two hard-throwing pitchers, Nevada-bound Mateo Miramontes and California-bound Matt Brown. Miramontes is expected to start today.

Van Nuys advanced to the state tournament by defeating Chatsworth, 9-7, in the Area 6 playoffs Sunday.

Led by catcher Alec Moss, who is batting .443 with 29 runs batted in, Van Nuys is batting .380.

Felipe Tetelboin, who has 41 RBIs, and Chris Dickerson, who has 37, are two of six Van Nuys players with more than 20 RBIs. The team averages 8.48 runs per game.

In other first-round games today, Chino plays Lakewood at 9 a.m. and Sacramento Southside meets Stockton Carl Ross at 3 p.m.

The top two finishers in the double-elimination tournament advance to regional play next week.

“I want to get there for everybody who hasn’t gotten there [on past Van Nuys teams],” said Moss, who has signed with Xavier. “This could be real special.”