High School Roundup : Kennedy Clinches Second League Title in a Row

Standing between San Fernando High senior right-hander Frank Serna and a possible North Valley League title was Kennedy slugger Gino Tagliaferri, who in the third inning had blasted yet another home run.

When Tagliaferri strode to the plate in the sixth inning Thursday with the bases loaded and the score tied, Serna flashed back to the third inning, when Tagliaferri had tagged Hector De La Cruz for his 11th home run.

“I thought for sure he was going to hit No. 12 off me,” Serna said.

Serna (7-4) made the showdown elementary, however, by throwing away a pickoff attempt at first for an error, allowing the go-ahead runs to score as host Kennedy won, 7-5, to clinch its second consecutive league title.

Serna’s half-hearted throw to first eluded Andrew Munoz and allowed Danny Gugler and Mike Murray to score, breaking a 5-5 tie as Kennedy (18-7, 12-5 in league) moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Tigers with one game remaining.

San Fernando (16-6-1, 10-5-1) scored three runs in the top of the sixth with two out. Bobby Corrales’ two-run single capped the rally and tied the score, 5-5.