Venice Rallies to Defeat Franklin, 6-3

Venice scored four runs in the sixth inning to defeat Franklin, 6-3, in a City 3-A quarterfinal baseball game Tuesday at Venice. Junior John Barba’s bases-loaded double keyed the rally for Venice, which also got a two-run home run from Colin Franker in the first inning.

Chico Garcia and John Vega combined on a six-hitter for Venice (22-6) as the Gondoliers advanced to the semifinals to play Los Angeles, which defeated Hamilton, 6-2, at Los Angeles. Jose Ortega pitched a three-hitter as the Romans scored six runs in the first three innings and coasted to the win.

The other 3-A semifinal will match Palisades against Westchester. Palisades (18-5) routed Washington, 22-3, at Palisades behind a home run and four RBIs by winning pitcher Leonard Matsumoto.

Westchester (18-9) scored four runs in the first inning en route to a 8-2 win over South Gate at Westchester. Third baseman Sandy Gruca and second baseman Steve Holtzman contributed two-run singles in the first-inning rally, and left fielder Ken Robinson added a two-run triple in the fifth. Sophomore Steve May got the win, allowing six hits in six innings.

In the 4-A, Banning was the only one of three Marine League entrants that could survive the quarterfinals. The Pilots scored twice in the eighth inning to defeat Grant, 7-5.

Kennedy scored a run in the seventh inning to defeat San Pedro, 3-2, and will face Chatsworth in the semifinals Friday. Chatsworth defeated North Hollywood, 5-1, at Chatsworth. Will L’Heureux allowed only four singles and an unearned run as he improved his record to 8-0.

The third Marine League team, Narbonne, led, 2-1, entering the fifth inning before allowing seven runs as Granada Hills went on to win, 10-2, at Granada Hills. Banning will face Granada Hills in the other semifinal.