Seven-Run Inning Helps La Quinta Beat El Rancho

WHITTIER —  In the annals of La Quinta baseball, Tuesday’s 10-8 victory over Pico Rivera El Rancho may not rank among their classic victories. But it certainly is one of their most unforgettable.

The Aztecs (26-3-1), seeking consecutive titles, overcame a four-run deficit with a seven-run sixth. But the resilient Dons got three runs with two outs in the seventh to tie the score against unbeaten right-hander reliever Craig Jones. However, the Aztecs managed to claw out two runs in the ninth for the victory at Whittier California High.

That puts the Aztecs in their third consecutive Southern Section Division III championship game, where they will face Santa Margarita at 1 p.m. Saturday in Anaheim Stadium.

Corey Fox broke the 8-8 tie with a double off the left-field fence against tiring El Rancho reliever Gino Saracho (6-3). Charlie Tuggle, who opened the ninth with a single to center, scored on the play. Fox later came home on a liner to left by Craig Kuzmic, who had three hits and three runs batted in.

Fox admitted afterward he got some help from Tuggle. The Aztec center fielder, on second base with one out, was picking up El Rancho’s signs and relayed to Fox to expect a fastball from Saracho.

“That’s exactly what I got and I was [waiting] for it,” Fox said.

The Dons still got the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth, but Jones (14-0) finally ended it by freezing Gonzalo Nieto on a 2-2 curveball for a called third strike.

Afterward a relieved La Quinta Coach Dave Demarest could only marvel--and cringe--at what he had witnessed. The Aztecs had not made an error in three previous playoff games but made four Tuesday--three by Kuzmic at short.

But somehow his team found a way to the finals.

“It sure wasn’t pretty,” Demarest said. “Both teams scrapped pretty hard, and both had lapses, mentally and physically.”

Jones, who pitched 4 2/3 innings of relief, said the scouting reports on El Rancho indicated it would be a tough, tough game.

“They are a group that doesn’t quit,” Jones said. “We knew if we let up even for one second we would lose.”