Alemany Makes Most of Runners in 9-6 Win

Alemany High maintained control of the Del Rey League on Friday, outscoring Loyola, 9-6, despite being outhit by the Cubs, 13-12, at Loyola.

The Indians stranded only four runners in improving to 11-8 overall, 5-1 in league play, 1 1/2 games ahead of St. Francis. Loyola (6-9, 3-3) is in third.

But for some Alemany seniors, the game was more than just another step toward the league championship.

“It was our last time playing at this place and we wanted to win real bad,” senior Ray Cano said. “The whole team was pumped up.”

However, Cano was a little more excited than the rest.

The left fielder was three for four--including a game-clinching two-run home run--and finished with five runs batted in. Loyola pitcher Eric Bacura fed Cano a changeup in the sixth inning and Cano deposited it over the left-field fence.

“I was sort of expecting an off-speed pitch and he gave me an off-speed pitch right in the strike zone,” Cano said. “So what else can you do with a pitch like that but hit it over the fence?”

The home run boosted Alemany’s lead to 8-5. The Indians added an insurance run when Jon Beauchemin followed Cano with a solo blast over the left-field fence.

The Indians took advantage of two errors by third baseman Ryan Lefebvre in the first inning to score two unearned runs. Alemany increased its advantage to 3-0 in the second when Leo Tejada doubled to center and scored on a single by Cano.

Loyola pulled to within 3-1 in the second when designated-hitter David Vida led off the inning with a single, advanced to third on a single to center by Pat Gilhooly and scored on an overthrow.

The Cubs went in front, 4-3, an inning later on Vida’s three-run homer.

But the lead was short-lived. With two out in the Alemany fourth, Brian Swanson reached first on an error and leadoff batter Greg Thompson bunted for a single.

Both scored on a double by Cano, who advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on wild pitch to give the Indians a 6-4 lead.

The Cubs pulled to within 6-5 in the fifth when Lefebvre, aboard on a bunt single, scored on a fielder’s choice.

After Cano and Beauchemin homered to push Alemany in front by four in the sixth, Loyola loaded the bases with three consecutive singles in its half of the inning.

Lefebvre’s sacrifice fly scored pinch-runner Dan Dwyer, but Alemany pitcher Tom Daniels (6-2) retired the next two batters to end the threat.

“He did a hell of a job getting out of that jam,” Alemany Coach Jim Ozella said of his pitcher.

Daniels, a senior right-hander, gave up 13 hits, but struck out seven and walked one en route to a complete-game victory.