AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Lancaster Halts San Fernando Win Streak

For Lancaster, the third time was most charming.

Twice in Lancaster’s 7-5 win over San Fernando in an American Legion District 20 game Wednesday at Antelope Valley High, San Fernando pitcher Rick Savala picked runners off third base.

But in the bottom of the sixth inning, with the score tied, 5-5, Savala’s pickoff attempt to third base went awry, allowing Steve Rowley and Bill Sabalvarro to score from second and third base.

The mistake allowed Lancaster to post the key Northern Division win.

The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for short-handed San Fernando, which had last lost to Lancaster. Six San Fernando players got lost trying to find the game site, Coach Joe Bergara said.

District-leading Lancaster (12-6) enjoys a 1 1/2-game lead over San Fernando (10-7) and Verdugo Hills (10-7).

Chad Eberhardt, Jack Cox and Darrin D’Errico each had two hits for Lancaster.

Chris Abbey (5-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief to earn the win.

In other District 20 games:

Chatsworth 5, Las Virgenes 1--Right-hander Anthony Moreno threw a five-hitter to lead host Chatsworth, which improved to 16-1 approaching a key doubleheader Saturday with Woodland Hills West.

Moreno (5-0) walked three, struck out nine and did not allow an extra-base hit. He also had two hits and drove in a run.

With the score tied, 1-1, Chatsworth scored four times in the sixth. Billy Blair keyed the rally with a two-run single and Rob Garbo followed with a run-scoring single. Nestor Martinez had two hits for Chatsworth.

Sepulveda 11, Valley Encino-Tarzana 1--Left-hander Steve Cain (5-1) tossed a two-hitter and Andy Shaw, Brad Fullmer and Shad Knighton each had three hits in a game at Birmingham High that was called after six innings because of the 10-run rule.

Bryan Stewart had two runs batted in for Sepulveda (15-3).

Reseda 5, Panorama City 3--Louis Vanacore (3-0) threw a four-hitter and struck out four and Joe Tushnet had three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs for Reseda (9-10) in a game at Monroe High.

Agoura-Oak Park 6, West Hills 4--Brian Spina had three hits and two RBIs and Ed Gillis tripled, doubled and picked up his third save for Agoura-Oak Park (10-9) at Oak Park High.

Jeff Gibbons (5-3) struck out eight in six innings for Agoura-Oak Park.

Quartz Hill 13, Palmdale 3--Mike Krass had three hits and Rob Keller, Terry Thompson and David Haney each added two for Quartz Hill (9-9) in a game at Quartz Hill High called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.