Woodland Hills West Rises in the South, 8-7 : Dramatic Three-Run Rally in Bottom of Ninth Preserves Unbeaten Series Record

Woodland Hills West outfielder Jason Cohen was minding his own business in the stands at the Millington Legion Field on Thursday, watching another team play in the American Legion World Series, when he was approached by a fan.

What followed, at the time, seemed a little eery. Now, however, it is starting to look more like a revelation.

“A nice, Jewish man walked up to me and said, ‘You don’t know me but I know who you are,”’ Cohen said. “He said, ‘I’ve been following you guys for a couple of weeks, and I just want to tell you that God told me yesterday that you will win the world championship.’ ”

Perhaps there was some divine intervention in the ninth inning Friday night as West rallied for three runs to steal an 8-7 victory from Gonzales, La., in a third-round game. West (38-6), which is 3-0 in the double-elimination tournament, will play Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, tonight at 5:30. Even a loss would put West in the championship round Sunday.

Trailing, 7-5, entering the bottom of the ninth and facing right-handed reliever Mike Gautreau, Del Marine led off with a single to center, his first hit in five at-bats. Cohen, who had singled twice in four previous at-bats, lined an 0-and-2 pitch over the head of Travis Bourgeois and off the fence in right field for a double, Marine moving to third.

Carl McFadden followed with a near-identical shot to right. Bourgeois froze in his tracks and retreated, but the ball bounced off the wall as McFadden sped for second and Marine and Cohen scored to tie the score. Bourgeois retrieved the ball and relayed it to second baseman Larry Dunn, who wheeled and gunned the ball to third in a effort to nail McFadden.

“I just wanted to get one in the air so we could at least get the run in from third,” said McFadden, who had two hits. “Then when I slid into third, I looked up and the ball was right there.”

Right there as in rolling past Gonzales third baseman Wade Walker and all the way to the wall. McFadden sprung to his feet and dove head-first across the plate for an oh-so-unlikely win.

“It’s like the guy told Cohen, maybe we’re destined to win,” said McFadden as he was mobbed by teammates and relatives. “This has been unreal.”

If not unearthly.

West right-hander Sean Boldt (4-1) pitched the final 2 1/3 innings for the win. Gonzales (45-12), the lone returning series team from last year, semed to have taken a safe lead in the top of the ninth when Todd Landry doubled in Andy Sheets from second. As it would be in the bottom of the inning, trouble with the relay was a problem when West first baseman Gregg Sheren took the throw from right fielder Jeff Marks, but didn’t see Sheets as he headed home for a 7-5 lead. Sheren’s hesitation was enough for Sheets to beat the delayed throw to catcher Bobby Kim.

West, trailing 6-2, scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh when Kim tripled with the bases loaded.

Leading, 4-2, in the seventh, Gonzales used a pair of two-out hits by Greg Landry and Jason Babin to take a 6-2 lead and drive starting pitcher Jason Mitchell from the game.

After Brett Petite’s home run gave Gonzales a 2-0 lead, Gonzales took a 3-2 lead in the third--mainly behind the fleet feet of Larry Dunn. Dunn singled to lead off the inning, stole second, moved to third on an infield out and scored when Wade Walker--who had walked--broke for second, drawing a throw from catcher Kim. Dunn beat Ricky Banuelos’ relay throw to the plate.

After Gonzales took a 2-0 lead in the second, West took advantage of a pair of Gonzales defensive lapses to tie it in the bottom of the inning.

With one out, Kim bunted to the mound, but pitcher Heath Whittington heaved the ball past first for a two-base error. Marks followed with a run-scoring double to left-center, his fourth hit in six series at-bats. Sheren walked, but was forced at second by Mitchell, Marks moving to third. Banuelos tied it with a single to left, his third hit in 10 series at-bats.

After Paul Geller reached base on shortstop Andy Sheets’ fielding error, loading the bases, Whittington retired Marine on a fly ball.

RECEIVING LINE

Del Marine of Woodland Hills West is a leading candidate to receive honors in at least three categories at the American Legion World Series. Page 19