Culver City Observer -

There have been two chapters in Culver City High’s 2012 baseball season, non-league and tournament games for Coach Rick Prieto to evaluate his talent, and the start of Ocean League competition.

Last week a third chapter was added – a showcase game in a college stadium between two of Southern California’s premier teams.

Culver City lost to nationally-ranked Harvard Westlake of North Hollywood, 3-0 at USC’s Dedeaux Field.

But the experience of competing on that level was a highlight of the Centaurs’ season.

“Both teams came to win,” said Prieto.

Harvard-Westlake scored a single run in the first, fourth and sixth innings -- two coming against Centaur ace Tyler Mark.

Harvard-Westlake’s Max Fried is projected to be a high draft choice and he pitched seven shutout innings against Culver City.

Skylar Blocker, Darian Sylvester and Juan Alcala had singles for Culver.

Harvard Westlake has a 14-3 record.

The plan was for the teams to play a 3:30 game at Culver and a 7 pm game at USC on the same day. But when traffic became especially heavy the afternoon game was cancelled.

Culver’s primary upcoming mission is to win the Ocean League championship. But defending champion Santa Monica is off to a 3-0 start following a 9-5 victory over Inglewood Tuesday.