Baseball: El Camino Real, Cleveland win West Valley League openers

In the pitching-rich West Valley League, there’s no alternative but to throw strikes if you expect to win the big games.

And Jeremy Polon of El Camino Real and Ben Kaser of Cleveland came through on Wednesday to lead their respective teams to victory.

Polon struck out nine and walked one in the Conquistadores’ 4-1 win over Taft. Eric Yang added three hits, including a double and home run.

Kaser lasted 6 2/3 innings and had a triple in Cleveland’s 9-2 win over Granada Hills.

It was a 1-1 game into the fifth, but junior ace Chris Murphy, who struck out seven, walked five and hit a batter, had thrown too many pitches by then and left after giving up an RBI single to Anthony Rivera. The Cavaliers then turned it into a rout.

Sam Villa had two hits and three RBI for Cleveland.

In the East Valley League, Isaac Gutierrez threw the shutout and Gerry Perez went four for four in Poly’s 6-0 win over North Hollywood. Johnny Lopez hit a home run.

Verdugo Hills defeated Monroe, 6-2. Grant Mona was three for four with two RBI. Troy Richards added two hits.

In the Valley Mission League, Kennedy defeated Reseda, 30-0, in a game halted by the mercy rule. Francisco Lares had four RBI.

In the Eastern League, Garfield handed Roosevelt its first defeat in league, 3-2.

Narbonne defeated Mayfair, 12-0. Daniel Rocha went three for four. Brian Correa threw a complete game, striking out five.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer