Southern Section Baseball Playoffs : Langford Sharp as Simi Valley Advances in 5-A

Right-hander Rich Langford threw a six-hitter and struck out nine as Simi Valley High defeated Baldwin Park, 5-1, in a Southern Section 5-A Division second-round playoff game Tuesday at Baldwin Park.

Simi Valley (23-3) scored three runs in the second, two on wild pitches and another on a double by Mike Jenkins. The Pioneers scored again in the fourth when Tyler Nelson tripled and scored on the front end of a double steal.

Langford (7-1), who has overcome arm problems that plagued him early in the season, had only one bad inning. The senior allowed three consecutive singles in the fifth to bring Baldwin Park to within 5-1.

Jeff Sommer homered in the fifth, his fourth, to give Simi Valley a 5-0 lead.

Second baseman Jesse Anguiano tied a single-game school record with four walks.

The Pioneers will play Long Beach Millikan, a 4-3 winner over Culver City on Tuesday, in the third round on Friday at Simi Valley. Millikan, the host school in the first two rounds, must play the remainder of its games on the road.

Simi Valley defeated Millikan, 8-7, in the El Segundo tournament in March.

In another 5-A game:

Fontana 7, Newbury Park 4--A two-run double by Jim Quiroz keyed a four-run third inning for Fontana in the second-round game at Fontana.

Quiroz’s hit snapped a 2-2 tie. Mark Carter drove in Quiroz with a single, went to second on an error by left fielder Brian Smith, and scored on Jerry Jamillo’s double.

Newbury Park (19-5-3) had tied the score in the top of the third on Chris Marsden’s single, Eric Greene’s triple and Danny Madsen’s sacrifice fly.

Senior outfielder Geoff Black hit his seventh home run--a two-run blast--in the fifth for the Panthers’ other runs.

Jeremy Dewey (8-3), who shut out North Torrance, 11-0, in the first round, went the distance for the Panthers. He allowed nine hits, struck out three and walked two.

4-A DIVISION

Hart 10, Walnut 5--For a while, it looked like a repeat of 1988 when highly regarded Hart was ousted, 12-7, in the second round by Fullerton.

Hart trailed, 4-0, and stranded six runners in the first two innings but managed to rally in a second-round game at Hart.

An error by Walnut shortstop Steve Martinez opened the door for four Hart runs in the fifth. Hits by Jason Edwards, David Toledo and Jay Sanford keyed the inning.

Hart (21-6) added five more runs in the sixth, two on a home run to center by Chris Vasquez, his fourth.

Junior left-hander Andrew Lorraine (8-4) threw a six-hitter, struck out 13 and walked one. After Walnut scored four times in the second, Lorraine settled down, allowing a lone run in the sixth.

Hart will play top-seeded Buena, an 8-4 winner Tuesday over Lompoc, in the third round Friday. Since both teams have played two home games, a coin flip will determine the site.

3-A DIVISION

La Palma Kennedy 6, Canyon 4--Corey Byars hit two home runs but Canyon lost the second-round game at home.

Trailing, 4-0, after 2 1/2 innings, Canyon (14-12) narrowed the deficit to one with three runs in the third.

Tim Rorick led off the inning with a single and Byars followed with his first home run. One out later, Rod Markovich and Kevin Backes had consecutive singles. Markovich went to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a wild pitch.

Byars hit a solo home run with two out in the sixth for Canyon’s other run.

2-A DIVISION

St. Bernard 6, Agoura 4--Grant Hohman hit a one-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning to give visiting St. Bernard the victory.

Trailing, 4-3, in the bottom of the seventh, Agoura sent the game into extra innings when Zac Miller scored on an error by first baseman Al Ibarra.

With two out and Miller on third, Bobby Kazmirski grounded to shortstop Hohman, who threw to first in time for the final out, but Ibarra dropped the ball.

St. Bernard held a 4-0 lead after 4 1/2 innings, but Agoura (14-8) rallied. Mark Costas singled, stole second and went to third on Nelson Townes’ single. Townes stole second, then a double by Brian Smith scored both runners.

Costas and Smith each had three hits for Agoura, the Frontier League champion, and teammates Josh Smaler and Dan Freedman each added two.

SMALL SCHOOLS DIVISION

Queen of Angels 8, Woodcrest Christian 7--Trailing, 6-3, in the bottom of the sixth, Queen of Angels scored five runs to win a second-round game at Queen of Angels.

In the sixth, Chris Wilson led off with a walk. After Felix Renteria singled, Merced Marin was safe on an error to load the bases. One out later, Bernie Osuna doubled down the left-field line to score Wilson and Renteria. Murillo Hipolito singled home Marin to tie the score, and scored on a wild pitch.

Osuna, a junior outfielder, was four for four with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Junior right-hander Steve Steger (3-0) pitched the last two innings, allowing three runs, to earn the win.

Queen of Angels will play Villanova Prep, a 7-5 winner over Chadwick, on Friday.

Highland Hall 7, Mesrobian 6--Highland Hall’s Tum Ratanatraiphob singled home Ed Anastas with two out in the top of the 10th inning to lead the Hawks to their 11th consecutive win in a second-round game at Mesrobian.

In the 10th, Craig Ernst led off with a walk and was sacrificed to second. Anastas beat out an infield hit to third, with Ernst holding at second. One out later, Ratanatraiphob singled to right-center to end the game.

Junior right-hander Bob Ramirez (14-3) threw a seven-hitter for the Hawks (21-5), striking out 14 and walking four. Ramirez set single-season school records for strikeouts (142) and wins.

Ratanatraiphob, Anastas, Ernst and Chris Sorensen each had two hits for Highland Hall, which will play second-seeded Rosamond on Friday. Rosamond defeated Abundant Life, 13-1, on Tuesday.

Camarillo Christian 9, Liberty Christian 2--John Boardman pitched a seven-hitter, struck out six and walked one for Camarillo Christian in the second-round game at Rio Mesa High.

Camarillo Christian (18-5) took a commanding 6-0 lead in the first inning on seven hits and two errors. The Eagles had six singles and a double in the inning and sent 12 batters to the plate.

Mike Hardy, Gerald Long, Marc Marshall and Boardman each had two hits for Camarillo Christian, which has won nine consecutive games.