Poly Wants Some Chatsworth

They acted like little kids going berserk in a sandbox. One by one, Poly High baseball players piled on top of each other. These were best buddies hugging and celebrating because they earned a trip to Dodger Stadium to play for the City Championship.

It happened on a dreary, drizzling Tuesday at Valley College, where a five-run first inning provided an unbeatable cushion for ace right-hander Carlos Reguengo (14-2), who struck out eight, walked three and scattered nine hits in Poly’s 6-4 semifinal victory over Kennedy.

Second baseman Juan Guerrero, making like Mark McGwire, hit a home run over the center-field fence--his second in as many playoff games--to help No. 3-seeded Poly (25-7) advance to the final Thursday against top-seeded Chatsworth (26-3).

“If anyone can make history, it’s this team,” third baseman Juan Flores said.

Poly is 0-4 in City finals and will be a prohibitive underdog to a Chatsworth team that didn’t even use its No. 1 pitcher, Mike Kunes, Tuesday against South Gate. But the Parrots can’t wait to take on the Chancellors.

“If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” Flores said.

The way Poly played against Kennedy (18-16) offers hope. The Parrots had no errors, no wild pitches and no passed balls. Reguengo faced at least one runner on base in every inning, but two double plays and his toughness left the Golden Cougars frustrated.

“He drives us absolutely nuts,” Coach Chuck Schwal of Poly said of Reguengo. “I bite my lip and move back into the dugout because I know he’s going to come through.”

Two errors, three walks and a two-run double by Manny Flores helped Poly take a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Kennedy, with three sophomores and a freshman in the lineup, appeared nervous. But the Golden Cougars battled every inning and scored three runs in the seventh to scare Schwal, who served four years as an assistant under Coach Manny Alvarado of Kennedy.

“It’s sweet when you beat your mentor,” Schwal said. “That [Kennedy] team is going to be good.”

The Golden Cougars boast top young players, none better than sophomore catcher Phil Avlas, who had three hits and made two difficult catches on pop ups.

The final out was caught by Manny Flores in right field.

“I looked up to see the ball and all I could see were the lights of Dodger Stadium,” Reguengo said.

It’s no longer a dream for the Parrots, who are determined to bring home a championship.

“We’ve got to make history,” Juan Flores said.