Los Alamitos used a two-run fourth and a five-run seventh to break open a close game and win its second game of the summer over Tesoro, 8-1 last week.
The Griffins are now 9-8 on the year heading into the season’s final week.
The game started out remarkably similar with the Titans using a single, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly to jump out to an early 1-0 lead off Los Al left hander Sam Lorenzini. Los Al got the run back with a two-out rally.
Nick Vilter singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Michael Farris then hit a grounder to short, which was mishandled and allowed Vilter to tie the game at one. Farris was stranded, one of seven Griffins left aboard, as the next hitter was retired.
Los Al threatened in the second with Pat Ivison stroking a one-out single but he was erased on a double play ball. Tesoro put the first two batters of the third aboard via an infield single and a fielder’s choice play but the Griffins got out of the jam unscathed with a double play ball and grounder to first, keeping the game tied at one.
Reliever Troy Rallings set down the Titans in order in the fourth, setting the stage for Los Al to break the game open. Keeton Quaack led off with a double and moved to third on a one-out infield single by Lorenzini.
Vilter brought in Quaack with a sacrifice fly while back-to-back singles from Farris and Moises Montes scored Lorenzini for a 3-1 lead. The latter pair was left holding the bag as the next hitter flied to right.
Brandon Reynolds pitched two perfect innings of relief for Los Al. The Griffins threatened in the fifth with Ivison’s second single of the contest getting things going. Matt Millar drew a one-out walk to put runners at first and second. A grounder to third started a double play, however, to end the inning.
Los Al closed with an offensive bang, however, scoring five runs on three hits in the seventh. Farris reached on a shortstop’s error while a Rallings walk and single by Montes loaded the bases.
A single by Andrew Yaz scored Farris with a bases-loaded walk to Ivison plating Rallings for a 5-1 lead. Millar’s two-out walk and a two-RBI single by Russ Mellon ended the scoring.
Los Al ends its summer season with a pair of games this week, including a 5 p.m. game today vs. a group of Los Al junior varsity players.
An end of summer barbecue is planned from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the field with all families invited to attend.
The squad will then close its season with a Friday game vs. Gahr at home. Gametime is 5 p.m.
