Extra Point Just Enough for Patriots

Birmingham High received a scare from Cleveland on Wednesday but rebounded for a 64-63 West Valley League girls’ track and field victory at Birmingham.

The Patriots, all but assured of their third consecutive league title with two meets left, got a one-two finish from Jennifer Mobarez (12:15.9) and Marina Santana (12:26.7) in the 3,200-meter run and a victory in the 1,600 relay to rally from a 54-50 deficit.

“You can say that Coach King took Cleveland lightly,” Coach Scott King of Birmingham said. “I don’t think we planned things very well.”

Cleveland received strong performances from Michelle Stinnette, Lindsey Blunt, Brynne Steward and Tori Curtis.

Stinnette won the 100 in 12.1 and the 200 in 25.2.

Blunt surprised by winning the 800 in 2:27.4 and the 1,600 in 5:31.4.

Steward won the 100 low hurdles in 14.8 and the 300 low hurdles in 46.9, and Curtis won the high jump at 4-10 and the triple jump at 32-9 3/4.

“That Blunt girl came out of nowhere,” King said.

Vincetta Mendola led a sweep for Birmingham (4-0, 3-0 in league meets) in the 400. She finished in 58.7 and was followed by Vonnie Fulford in 59.9 and Erica McCoy in 1:02.2.

The Patriots edged Cleveland (3-1, 2-1) in both relays. Rene Winston pulled away on the anchor leg of the pivotal 1,600 relay to win in 3:55.6, and Mendola, Fulford, Porscha Holland and Winston combined for a 49.0 in the 400 relay.

Birmingham swept the pole vault and shot put with region record-holder Melissa Astete holding off Michelle Rivera.

Astete, who has a best of 12-9 1/2, cleared 12-0. Rivera also cleared 12-0, a career best, but Astete won on fewer misses.

Despite impressive performances from Cleveland sprinters Jason Lovell and Randy Bundy, Birmingham won the boys’ meet, 92-35.

The Patriots (3-1, 2-1) dominated the field events, outscoring the Cavaliers, 42-3.

Lovell won the 200 in 21.5, edging Bundy, who finished in 21.7, and Ramal Porter of Birmingham, who ran 21.8.

Bundy won the 100 in 10.7, nipping Sammy Johnson and Chad Green, both of Birmingham.

John Walker of Birmingham won the 110 high hurdles in 15.0 and the 300 intermediate hurdles in 42.3. He won the long jump with a career-best 22-1 1/4.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Channel Islands 3, Santa Barbara 2--Max Martinez scored on an error in the seventh to give the Raiders a Channel League tournament victory at Channel Islands.

Peter Reveles pitched a five-hitter with seven strikeouts and one walk for Channel Islands (5-8).

San Fernando 3, Sylmar 2--John Sandoval and Danny Salazar scored on an error in the seventh to give the Tigers a Valley Mission League victory at Sylmar (8-5, 4-2).

Abraham Gonzalez pitched a five-hitter, allowing no earned runs for San Fernando (12-2, 6-0).

Simi Valley 2, Newbury Park 1--Tim Wojcik’s RBI single and RBI double led the Pioneers (7-6, 3-3) to a Marmonte League victory at Newbury Park.

Lancaster 13, Antelope Valley 2--Brian Mitchell pitched a four-hitter, striking out seven in a Golden League game at Antelope Valley that was halted after six innings because of the 10-run rule.

Tony Ortiz had three hits and four runs batted in for Lancaster (10-2-1, 6-0).

St. Bonaventure 7, Bishop Diego 6--Gilbert Infante’s run-scoring single gave the Seraphs (8-4, 3-2) a 7-5 lead in the seventh of a Tri-Valley League game at Bishop Diego.

Oak Park 7, Fillmore 0--Freshman Garrett Ozar had three hits and pitched a two-hitter in a Tri-Valley League victory for the Eagles (5-4-1, 3-2) at Fillmore.

BOYS’ SWIMMING

Saugus 99, Burbank 71--Matt Swope won the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke in a Foothill League victory for the Centurions at Saugus.

GIRLS’ SWIMMING

Saugus 125, Burbank 42--Lauren Kristensen won the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle for Saugus.