Buena Park Turns On the Power to Rout Valencia, 9-4

Bryan Cook broke a tie in the sixth with an RBI single, then added a two-run double in the seventh as Buena Park blew past Valencia, 9-4, in the North Orange County Tournament semifinals Wednesday at Valencia High.

The Coyotes (4-1) get the chance to defend their tournament title Saturday, a title they won against Valencia.

Power hitting, which was a Buena Park staple in 1996, was again in full force. Of their eight hits, half were for extra bases--three doubles and a three-run homer by winning pitcher Chris Perry (2-0) in the first to get the Coyotes off to a quick start.

Even though Valencia (3-1) would tie the score by the third, Perry stayed cool, striking out six (five looking) and walking two in six innings.

Daniel Flores survived a bases-loaded situation in the seventh for his first save.

“A year ago we might have lost that game after Valencia came back to tie it,” Buena Park Coach Russ McHale said. “But we are a more experienced team this year.”

Buena Park also proved to be an opportunistic team.

Their first four runs were scored with two out. Cook’s tie-breaking single off reliever David Towery (0-1), cashed in a walk, one of seven issued by Valencia pitchers.

And Lowery’s mishandling of Perry’s sacrifice bunt--diving for the soft popup, hitting the ball with his body in fair territory and knocking it away--was the catalyst for the four-run Coyote seventh.

Valencia Coach Mike Scheetz realizes he may have to watch more games like this while getting his young team in shape for league.

“We’re learning how little things make the difference,” Scheetz said. “We had a couple of defensive breakdowns and didn’t hustle in some instances. And Buena Park is too good a hitting team to give extra opportunities to.”