Baseball: Cleveland (23-1) keeps finding ways to win with great chemistry

There’s a secret weapon being deployed by the Cleveland High baseball team _ hugs. Borrowing from a Samoan tradition of family members hugging, Cleveland players can be seen embracing each other over and over before games.

“We’re family,” shortstop Victor Gonzalez said.

The team chemistry is pretty astonishing and helps explain how the Cavaliers are 23-1 and 5-0 in the West Valley League after their latest conquest, a 5-4 win over Chatsworth on Wednesday when they rallied from a 4-0 deficit with three runs in the sixth and two runs in the seventh.

Anthony Rivera hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game and pinch hitter Gio Cheherlian added another sacrifice fly to drive in the winning run.

Cleveland had committed four errors and fell behind, 4-0, after three innings. Chatsworth starter Josh Garcia had given up three hits but walked six when he was pulled in the sixth. The Chancellors (18-6, 3-2) have been one pitcher short while standout Tommy Palomera recovers from a knee injury, and relievers Andrew Saenz and Thomas Gutierrez were unable to close the game.

There has been skepticism about how good Cleveland is because the Cavaliers haven’t exactly played a tough schedule, but make no mistake about it _ the Cavaliers’ chemistry is special. Gonzalez finished with two hits.

It was quite a day in the West Valley League where the league’s top four teams squared off.

Not far away from Cleveland, El Camino Real and Birmingham engaged in their own thriller in Woodland Hills. The Conquistadores pulled out a 4-3 win on Jake Baer’s walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh. Baer finished four for five with three RBIs.

Chris Murphy struck out 13 in five innings and Jordan Lenhart had three hits in Granada Hills’ 14-1 win over Taft.

“It’s a tough league,” Gonzalez said. “Everybody puts in a lot of work. It’s fun to compete in this league.”

Lots of credit for Cleveland’s success should go to pitching coach Sid Lopez, who has pretty much taken over running the team since the suspension early in the season of head coach Scott Drootin. He’s the one who introduced the Samoan hugs.

Of course, there’s little time for Cleveland to celebrate. The Cavaliers have to face Chatsworth again on Friday at Chatsworth. But a message has been sent.

“We should get a little respect,” Lopez said. “It shows a little character.”

For the latest on high school sports, follow @LATSondheimer on Twitter