AMERICAN LEGION ROUNDUP : Encino-Crespi Falls Short Again, 5-3

Encino-Crespi’s American Legion baseball team has struggled this season, failing to capitalize on its opportunities.

Encino-Crespi came up short again Saturday, failing to produce with the game on the line.

Western Division-leading Woodland Hills East rallied for three runs in the eighth to win, 5-3, in the District 20 game at Valley College.

“It was the same old story,” Encino-Crespi Coach Scott Muckey said.

After East (14-1) took a 5-2 lead in the top of the eighth, Encino-Crespi rallied for a run off reliever Chris Brown in the bottom of the inning. Encino-Crespi left the bases loaded, however, which served as a prelude to the ninth.

With runners at first and third in the ninth, Vic Seper sent a shot down the line at first, but East’s John Erganian gloved the ball for the final out.

With the score tied, 2-2, East shortstop Benji Belfield started the eighth-inning rally with a one-out triple off reliever Brett Farlow (0-1). After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Erganian gave East a 3-2 lead with a run-scoring ground out to first. Carey Wilbur then delivered a two-run single for a 5-2 lead.

Casey Snow was two for three and stole two bases for Encino-Crespi (4-10). Belfield had two hits for East.

In other District 20 games:

Woodland Hills West 6, Granada Hills 1--Catcher Bobby Kim (two for four) slammed a two-run homer to spark a three-run first inning for West at El Camino Real.

Right-hander Terry Morrow (3-0) allowed six hits, struck out 10 and walked three for West, which won for the eighth time in nine games.

West improved to 12-5, 9-4 in district play. Granada Hills is 4-11.

Sun Valley 3, Verdugo Hills 2--Roy Lozano’s single in the ninth drove in Sef Carlin from third to win it at Poly.

Right-hander Jake Loveridge (3-1) allowed one earned run on three hits, walked five and struck out two for Sun Valley (13-1).

In the ninth, Carlin beat out a bunt and took third on an errant pickoff. After Jonathan Campbell walked, Lozano punched a game-wining looper into right-center field.

Lozano, Carlin and Marlon McKinney each had two hits for Sun Valley. Verdugo Hills is 6-8.

Reseda 4, Las Virgenes 3--Reseda turned three double plays to back the six-hit pitching of Louis Vanacore at Reseda High.

With the score tied, 3-3, and two out in the fifth, Ari Jacobs (three hits) singled and scored on a double by Jeff Taylor. Jesse Yeomans had two hits for Reseda (8-7). Tom Lynch and Tom Hoover each had two hits for Las Virgenes (9-6).

Chatsworth 10, Agoura 8--Chatsworth catcher Mike Mancuso nailed down the game and bailed out his batterymate with three innings of relief at Agoura High.

With Chatsworth ahead, 10-7, Mancuso allowed a lone run in the eighth to earn his first save. Starter Danny Rodriguez (2-2) earned the victory.

Mancuso was two for three and drove in two runs for Chatsworth (6-7). Bob Kazmirski and pitcher Joey Medaglia (1-2) each had two hits and drove in two runs for Agoura (7-9).