Sellz Bails Out Valley North, 12-6

Scott Sellz pitched eight innings in relief, not allowing a runner for the first five, and seventh-seeded Valley North beat Central Valley, 12-6, in an American Legion baseball District 20 playoff game Thursday night at Burroughs High.

Valley North will play top-seeded Van Nuys East, the only other undefeated playoff team, today at 4 p.m. at Valley College.

After Valley North scored three first-innings runs on a single and five errors, Sellz relieved Ryan Robbins in the second inning. Robbins yielded a leadoff home run to Vince Zuniga, three singles and a double by Mike Schultz that cut Valley North’s lead to 3-2.

Sellz (1-2) surrendered a sacrifice fly by Justin Savitt that tied the score, 3-3, but shut down Central Valley (22-6) until Valley North took command.

Sellz gave up three runs and five hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

Tim Weigand had three hits and drove in two runs for Valley North (22-6), and shortstop Matt Fisher had two hits, scored two runs and drove in two runs.

Schultz (6-1) gave up 10 runs on eight hits in four innings. Schultz walked six batters, hit another, and struck out five.

Jason Woolman had two hits and drove in three runs for fourth-seeded Central Valley, which plays Woodland Hills West in an elimination game today at 4 p.m. at Birmingham High.

Palmdale 9, Woodland Hills East 6--With its first American Legion playoff victory since 1990, Palmdale (22-6) advanced in the losers’ bracket behind a strong pitching performance by Matt Harrington at Valley College.

Palmdale will face Newhall Saugus in an elimination game today at 1 p.m. at Birmingham High.

Harrington (5-1) had 10 strikeouts and allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings. He struck out the side in the second and sixth innings.

Palmdale took a 6-1 lead by scoring five times in the third inning. A two-run triple by Brian Stien and two run-scoring wild pitches by Woodland Hills East starter Travis Rutter (5-3) highlighted the inning.

Jason Gorman hit a leadoff home run in the fifth after Woodland Hills East (20-8) pulled to within 6-3.

Woodland Hills West 15, Antelope Valley North 1--Woody Cliffords had four hits, including a double, and drove in two runs for Woodland Hills West in an elimination game called after seven innings because of the 10-run rule at Birmingham High.

Junior Avina added two hits, including a three-run home run, and four RBIs, and Conor Jackson hit a two-run homer.

Antelope Valley North (20-8) was outscored, 29-2, in two playoff games.

Johnny Koegel pitched a six-hitter, striking out three and walking none for Woodland Hills West (22-6).