Hernandez’s 12 Strikeouts Bail Out Shaky Sylmar, 7-3

Sylmar High mustered enough offense to override some early miscues and support Ivan Hernandez’s outstanding pitching in the Westside tournament’s Blue Division championship game on Saturday afternoon.

Hernandez (1-1) allowed one hit over six innings, striking out 12, and the Spartans defeated Rio Mesa, 7-3, at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Larry Anguino had a double and three runs batted in for Sylmar, and Eddie Camacho hit a two-run home run.

Greg Ramirez led off the second inning with a walk and scored Rio Mesa’s first run after two consecutive errors.

Camacho’s home run on a fastball from Ernie Borjas in the third put Sylmar (4-1) ahead for good.

“I knew the pitcher was going to make a mistake, because he did to the batter before,” said Camacho, referring to Hernandez’s drive that was caught on the warning track. “I just had to see my pitch, and I did.”

Reliever Lionel Carrizales of Rio Mesa (4-1) hit the first batter, Gabriel Montiel, of the fourth inning, and walked Jamie Mah and Chris Avendano, loading the bases.

Second baseman Aaron Reynolds’ error on Victor Anguiano’s grounder scored Montiel, and Anguino’s double scored Avendano and Anguiano one out later.

Nick Barroso got the only hit against Hernandez, a third-inning infield single.

Hernandez was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the sixth after throwing 122 pitches.

Greg Ramos replaced Camacho with runners and first and third and one out in the seventh, and struck out Greg Ramirez and Abel Garcia to earn a save.

In the Red Division championship game:

Newbury Park 11, San Pedro 9--The Panthers (5-0) parlayed three hits, three errors, two walks and a wild pitch into seven runs in the second inning at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Joey Hamer’s double drove in two runs and Anthony Foli hit a run-scoring single.

Reliever Tyler Johnson (2-0) allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two in three innings.

San Pedro (3-2) had the tying run on first base when Ryan Ayers induced designated hitter Joel Alcantar to fly out to right, ending the game.