Kubel’s Home Run Lifts Tri-Cities Highland, 6-5

Tri-Cities Highland took a large step toward the District 20 Northern Division title and an automatic berth in the district tournament next week with a 6-5 victory over Lancaster on Wednesday at Lancaster High.

Jason Kubel’s two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning broke a 4-4 tie for Highland (16-6), which needs to win two of its final four games to wrap up the division crown.

Second-place Lancaster (15-5) scored a run in the eighth.

Kubel and Rob Cowan each had two hits for Tri-Cities Highland.

Jamie Baldwin (3-1) of Highland pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings of three-hit relief. Edgar Hernandez recorded the final two outs to earn his third save.

Steve Payte took the loss, allowing two hits and two runs in three innings.

Woodland Hills El Camino Real 15, Granada Hills 12--There were 24 hits, including five home runs, in a District 20 game at El Camino Real High.

Bobby Baca had a triple and two home runs--one a grand slam--for Granada Hills (12-10). He had eight RBIs.

For El Camino Real, Conor Jackson had four hits and three RBIs, Brian Somoza had two home runs and three RBIs and Woody Cliffords had two hits, including a home run, and four RBIs.