Second-Best Is Good Enough for Chatsworth

Valley Chatsworth might have lost the battle, but more importantly, it won the war.

Despite losing in the American Legion baseball state championship game Tuesday, Valley Chatsworth couldn’t be too disappointed. The team is advancing to the Western Regional in Las Vegas on Aug. 12-15 by virtue of its runner-up finish.

Valley Chatsworth, which staved off elimination by winning two games Monday, was beaten by Danville, 18-8, in a game called after seven innings because of the 10-run rule.

But the season isn’t over, and that’s all that matters.

“It was tough to come out here with the same type of intensity after getting two games we needed [Monday],” Coach Matt LaCour of Valley Chatsworth said. “We did the job early on, and if we hold up defensively, we’ve got a better shot.

“But this is a good experience for us and it will make us a better team come regionals.”

After losing to Danville, 8-1, in its tournament opener Saturday, Valley Chatsworth (35-6) ran off victories against Chino, 11-1, on Sunday and El Segundo, 10-7, and Stockton, 12-10, on Monday to qualify for one of eight regionals and set up a rematch with Danville, needing two victories Tuesday to win the state title.

A fast start staked Valley Chatsworth to a 7-5 lead after 4 1/2 innings, but poor defense opened the door for Danville, which scored six runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings.

Valley Chatsworth finished with five errors.

“It seems like when we lose, it’s because we hurt ourselves,” said outfielder Chad Redfern, who was chosen most valuable player of the tournament after hitting five home runs in five games. “But this was still fun.”

Redfern’s three-run homer in the third inning gave Valley Chatsworth a 4-2 lead, continuing a power surge that started when Matt Fisher hit the first pitch of the game over the left-field wall.

After Danville regained the lead, 5-4, with the help of an error by third baseman Brian Levinson in the third, Fisher tied the score in the fifth with his second homer.

Three batters later, Scott Sellz hit a two-run homer for a 7-5 Valley Chatsworth lead.

Danville (43-8) broke the game open in the fifth with six runs, five unearned after an error by second baseman Gregg Wallis.

Valley Chatsworth started several reserves and its youngest pitcher, Joseph Guntz, a 15-year-old left-hander.

Each of the eight regional winners qualify for the World Series starting Aug. 19 in Bristol, Conn.