TOP 10 STORIES OF THE YEAR : Big Bad Wolf Persevered Despite Grief

WOODLAND HILLS — Randy Wolf entered the 1994 high school baseball season on top of the world.

The previous season, the El Camino Real High pitcher was named the City Section 4-A player of the year after pitching the Conquistadores to the City Section Division 4-A title.

Things looked rosy for the left-handed senior with the live arm.

But tragically, Wolf’s father died of a heart attack April 18.

Wolf sat out two games following his father’s death, then hit a home run in his first game back.

But things did not continue as smoothly. He posted a 9-3 record and his team chased rival Chatsworth all season.

But in postseason play, Wolf won El Camino Real’s first two playoff games on a five-hitter and a one-hit shutout and earned a save in the semifinals.

Against Chatsworth in the championship game, Wolf allowed only one hit through the first six innings and the Conquistadores cruised to a 6-1 lead. But Chatsworth stung him for five runs in the top of the seventh to tie it, 6-6.

Still, Wolf hung on, threw two more scoreless innings and El Camino Real won, 7-6.

“I always knew this team would win because we have so much heart,” he said after the game.

None more so than Wolf.

--- UNPUBLISHED NOTE ---

Randy Wolf’s father died on March 27, 1994, not April 18th as stated in this story.

--- END NOTE ---