Banning Errors in 9th Pave Way for Poly, 3-1

The Banning High baseball team may have a future in juggling. But the Pilots have no future in the City 4-A playoffs after Polytechnic capitalized on six Banning errors--three in the ninth inning--to win, 3-1, Tuesday at Banning.

“We usually don’t make that many errors,” Banning Coach Dan Evans said. “I guess today was one of those days.”

It could well have been Poly Coach Jerry Cord saying those words.

Poly made two errors in the third inning, which enabled pinch-runner Denny Chavez to score the lone Banning run. Chavez ran for Jose Diaz, who had singled. Chavez reached second on a fielder’s choice and advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt. He scored when Poly catcher Tim Hunt missed on another pickoff throw.

Poly (15-5) tied the game in the top of the seventh on a pair of Banning errors and a single by Joe Speakes on a 3-2 pitch by Rick Sasseen.

A single by Ali Aguilar and the three Banning errors enabled Poly to score two in the ninth.

After Poly took the lead, a highly vocal Parrot contingent in the crowd yelled, “Dodger Stadium” in anticipation of the City final.

First, however, Poly will have to get by Granada Hills, a 9-6 winner over Canoga Park on Tuesday.

The teams will meet Friday at 3 p.m at a neutral site.

Banning ended its season with a 19-6 record.