City Baseball Playoffs : Venice Defeats Jefferson, 7-2, Reaches 3-A Semifinals Again

Lucio Chaidez pitched a four-hitter and struck out 13 to lead three-time defending champion Venice High School into the semifinals of the City 3-A baseball playoffs Friday with a 7-2 win over Jefferson at Venice.

Chaidez got off to a rough start, allowing two runs in the first inning. But he settled down, going the distance to improve his record to 8-0.

The Gondoliers had 13 hits, including home runs by Ernie Soto and Roger Serafin. Soto had 3 runs batted in and four runs scored, and Roland Villasenor also had 3 runs batted in.

Venice will play Belmont Tuesday in the 3-A semifinals. Westchester and Bell play in the other semifinal.

Belmont 5, Palisades 2--Victor Salaiza pitched a six-hitter and drove in two runs to lead the Sentinels to a win over the Dolphins at Montecito Park.

After allowing two runs in the first inning, Salaiza shut out Palisades the rest of the way. Second baseman Jesus Parra added two runs batted in for Belmont (11-6).

Poly 2, El Camino Real 1--Right fielder Luis Porres made a backhanded catch and doubled a Conquistadores runner off first base in the top of the seventh inning to save the win for the Parrots at Poly.

El Camino Real appeared on its way to tying the game when, with Jim Wolf at first, Gene Demyon lined a drive down the right field line. But Porres ran into the corner, made the catch, and threw to first baseman Hans Hekking to double off Wolf and end the game.

Poly, the No. 2 seed in the 4-A, advances to the semifinals against Chatsworth, a 5-1 winner over Kennedy.

Sylmar 6, San Fernando 0--Olonzo Woodfin, pitching on one-day’s rest, threw a four-hitter to lead the Spartans over the Tigers in a 4-A quarterfinal game at San Fernando.

On Wednesday, Woodfin threw a two-hitter as Sylmar beat Carson in the first round. Friday, he struck out seven to lead Sylmar over the Mid-Valley League champions.

Sylmar advances to the 4-A semifinals to play top-seeded Canoga Park on Tuesday.