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Chatsworth Stunned by Rio Mesa, 13-1

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Making a powerful statement, Rio Mesa High battered All-City pitcher Mike Kunes for 13 hits and played flawless defense to defeat Chatsworth, 7-1, on Thursday in a semifinal game of the Westside baseball tournament at Chatsworth.

Frank Tinoco and Ernie Borjas hit home runs and right-hander Greg Ramirez (2-0) pitched a five-hitter with eight strikeouts to help Rio Mesa (4-0) earn a spot in the Blue Division final Saturday at 2 p.m. against Sylmar at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium.

“Chatsworth sometimes brings out the best in you,” Coach Rich Duran of Rio Mesa said. “Our kids have been excited about this game for a year. This was our best game by far and we hope we can continue to improve. If we can play with Chatsworth, we can play with anybody.”

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Tinoco, a junior who’s one of the top shortstops in Ventura County, made two dazzling catches of pop flies with his back to the plate.

“He was tremendous today,” Duran said.

Added Tinoco: “I just don’t give up on pop-ups.”

Tinoco finished with three hits and is eight for 13 with three home runs this season.

“I’m hitting the ball well,” Tinoco said. “I worked hard in the off-season. I’m hitting my pitches.”

Kunes (1-1) suffered the third defeat in his high school career.

The pitching matchup featured the UCLA-bound Kunes, the City player of the year, against the Pepperdine-bound Ramirez, the Ventura County pitcher of the year.

Kunes gave up three unearned runs in the first inning when right fielder Matt Cassel dropped a fly ball. Cassel later homered for Chatsworth (3-1).

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