ANAHEIM LIONS BASEBALL TOURNAMENT : Kennedy Beats Sonora, Moves Into Title Game

Kennedy supported the pitching of Chris Clark with solid defense to defeat Sonora, 3-1, in the semifinals of the Anaheim Lions Easter Tournament Tuesday night at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.

The Fighting Irish (9-6-1) will meet La Quinta for the title at 7 tonight at Glover. The Aztecs made what was guaranteed to be an all-Garden Grove League final with their 10th consecutive victory, 7-5, over Garden Grove.

Clark (3-1) allowed three hits, striking out five and walking two.

“Clark is a tough kid who goes out there and battles,” Kennedy Coach Chris Pascal said. “He had back problems and was getting rubbed down between innings. He’s a team leader. He wants to be on the mound at the end of the game.”

Sonora’s Shane Unger (3-3) gave Kennedy’s hitters a rough time also. But Unger allowed the Fighting Irish to score in the third inning when he was unable to cope with a double steal. Chito Jara scored from third and R.J. Gonzalez took second when Unger couldn’t decide where to throw the ball and held on to it.

The Raiders (8-6) tied the score in the fourth when Junior Rodriguez singled home Joey Gomez, who came in from third after walking, stealing second and taking third on a sacrifice.

Kennedy broke the tie in the sixth when catcher Mike Loya singled to right. Charlie Marino scored from second after Sonora right fielder Erik Julin bobbled the ball.

Jeff Westermann’s bases-loaded single to center drove in the final run in the top of the seventh to give Clark a safer lead. Clark finished strong, retiring the last nine Sonora batters.