BASEBALL : Cougars Pounce on Democrats Early, 5-3

Before the start of the Jefferson-Crenshaw baseball game last week Democrat assistant coach Victor Hayes was more concerned about his starting pitcher’s lack of preparation than the opponent.

Because the Jefferson team arrived late at Crenshaw, Gabriel Avila didn’t have time for many warm-up pitches.

And Hayes’ fear became reality.

The Cougars scored all of their runs in the first inning en route to a 5-2 win in an L.A. Invitational second-round game Tuesday afternoon.

“Gabby had control problems in the first inning, but after that Crenshaw couldn’t hit his curveball,” Hayes said. “If he had gotten warmed up before the start of the game, we could’ve won.”

Crenshaw assistant coach Herb McNeely agreed: “(Avila) had some control problems in the first inning and we were able to take advantage. Once he started throwing that off-speed pitch, he was in control.”

Avila (0-2) scattered two hits over the last six innings, which included seven strikeouts and three walks.

Down 5-1, the Democrats closed the gap in the top of the sixth when first baseman Ramses Cobian, who walked before stealing second and third, scored on Crenshaw catcher Mark Sarria’s errant pick-off throw to third.

Cougar pitcher Leslie Williams (1-0) walked the next two batters, then threw a wild pitch, advancing the runners to second and third and putting the tying run at the plate in Avila.

However, Avila struck out on five pitches.

“We had our chances in this game, we just didn’t capitalize,” Hayes said.

But Crenshaw did, making the most of its opportunities in the first.

Sarria knocked a single past Jefferson short stop Juan Arellano to load the bases and Cougar first baseman Shaun Smith hit a three-run double to left field.

Crenshaw scored its other two runs when Jefferson second baseman Juan Rosales fielded a ground ball and made a bad throw to first, with runners on first and third.

Smith was two-for-three with three RBIs in the game.

Williams finished with a four-hitter, striking out six.

“I was very impressed with Leslie’s performance,” McNeely said. “He has had control problems in the past, but he is getting away from it.”

Crenshaw 12, Jordan 4--Crenshaw second baseman Juan Orita went three-for-three with four RBIs in a second-round game of the L.A. Invitational last week at Crenshaw.

Shortstop Mike McNeely went three-for-five with two RBIs for the Cougars. Jordan’s Ernie Gomez hit two singles and a double with two RBIs in a losing effort.

University 6, Washington 3--Pitcher Marcus Christophe helped his own cause going two-for-three with two RBIs, but the Generals lost a second-round game of the L.A. Invitational at University. Washington’s Sherod Johnson went two-for-four with one RBI.

Washington 15, Van Nuys 4--Washington third baseman Joseph George was the ring leader of the Generals’ hit parade, going two-for-four with two RBIs in a third-round game of the L.A. Invitational last week at Van Nuys.

Washington’s Sherod Johnson was also two-for-four with one RBI.

Hollywood 7, Jordan 6--Tony Sanchez’s bloop-single in the bottom of the eighth inning scored the winning run as Hollywood won a second-round game of the L.A. Invitational at Hollywood High last week. First baseman Ernie Gomez, who was one-for-four with two RBIs, hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to give the Bulldogs a brief 5-4 lead.