Scott Liske Scott Liske isn't going to change his favorite ankle-high black socks anytime soon.

The senior for Royal High's baseball team wore those socks while catching during the team's final two regular-season games— the first time he's caught since he was a freshman—and he just so happened to call two victories.

Liske, who was the Highlanders' starting left fielder, worked behind the plate because of injuries to starter Jeff Winters and Chase Munoz.

The emergency catcher has emerged as a legitimate force for Royal (196 overall), which enters the CIFSouthern Section Division I playoffs today at home against Villa Park.

"I've got to have the ring," Liske said. "We've got to stick it to every single team and play to the best of our abilities."

Liske, 17, said he struggled with hitting because he was "thinking too much at the plate and overreacting to everything."

For someone who takes a more cerebral approach to hitting, he had two hits and nine strikeouts through his first seven games this year.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers CATCHING ON—Royal High senior Scott Liske made a lateseason transition from left field to catcher to help his ballclub. This season he's batting .237 with 13 RBI, six doubles and a grand slam home run.

Liske said he's improved in the second half because he's simplified his approach, and catching allows him to stay more involved in every facet of the game.

"I have days where I'm not happy with my hitting, but I can't dwell on that," Liske said. "I've got to work and get ready for the next game and get back into the swing of things."

Royal head coach Dan Maye, who's guided the program for 19 years, said Liske didn't allow one passed ball, and he was the first catcher all season to throw out a runner attempting to steal.

He threw out Thousand Oaks' Tyler Smith, who led the Lancers with six stolen bases, during a 21 Royal win on May 8.

"I put him in there for leadership and because he has the experience," Maye said. "He knows the defense, and he knows our pitchers. Actually, catching might be his best position."

Liske has played every position except pitcher and shortstop during his time with the Highlanders.

"He's bounced around all over the field, and he never said he can't play a position," Maye said. "He's well-rounded, and hopefully he plays baseball as long as he can. . . .

"Whenever that day ends, he's going to be successful. He's got self-discipline and a good head on his shoulders."

The senior is versatile beyond the baseball diamond.

Liske, who carries a 4.2 gradepoint average, has earned a partial academic scholarship to attend and play baseball at UC San Diego, where he wants to study computer engineering at the Division II university.

Liske said he'd like to have a career in U.S. national defense's cyber counterterrorism unit. He earned the scholarship through the Los Angeles Fire Department, where his father is an arson investigator.

At Royal, Liske takes Advanced Placement courses in calculus, macroeconomics, computer science and government.

The catcher has been a member of the baseball team's "Black Watch" program, which honors players for good grades, community service projects and attendance at other Royal sporting events.

On top of everything else, Liske is also a trained lifeguard through the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

During his career, the senior has endured a bushel of injuries.

The most serious injury was a stress fracture in his lower back as a sophomore. That year, he struck out and was hit by a pitch in his only two plate appearances on the varsity squad.

He's also had knee, shoulder and elbow injuries.

Despite the setbacks, Liske has enjoyed every moment at Royal.

"I have no regrets at all," the Highlander said.

Liske hates keeping all his baseball trophies, however.

"I want to throw them all away—my mom makes me keep them," he said. "You can't live in the past. You're only as good as your last outing. We have to continually prove that we're here to play and we're the best.

"Memories are great, but every single time I play baseball is better than any memory."