Teamwork: The Valley North baseball team, which...

Teamwork: The Valley North baseball team, which begins play Saturday in the state American Legion tournament at Yountville, has surprised Coach Matt LaCour with its 9-0 postseason run.

With meager pitching to start and injuries added on, Valley North was seeded seventh in the District 20 playoffs after a so-so regular season.

LaCour says one factor is familiarity. Every player on the squad is from Chatsworth High.

“This team’s been together a long time,” he said. “Even the guys who came back from junior college had played with the younger guys before. Other Legion teams draw from different schools and they might not be as strong together. Our guys realize they’re playing for Chatsworth and there’s a lot of pride.”

Add North: Another characteristic of the team is its relaxed demeanor. Practices are low-key and LaCour, 23, a Chatsworth alum, raises his voice only as a warning bell.

“I find myself getting a little bit [upset] that they’re not more intense when we get down by two or three runs,” he said. “I start yelling and they just sit back and swing the bats.”