TWO FOR THE SHOW

Chatsworth and Poly, two schools fed up with finishing second, will meet tonight at 7:30 for the City Championship baseball title at Dodger Stadium.

Chatsworth (26-3) is so focused on winning the championship that players hardly celebrated after a 12-2 semifinal win over South Gate. Losses to El Camino Real in the 1993, ’94 and ’98 finals have made the Chancellors determined not to leave Dodger Stadium without a title.

“With this club, they’re not going there just to play,” Coach Tom Meusborn of Chatsworth said.

Poly (25-7) is 0-4 at Dodger Stadium, losing to some of the finest teams in Valley history. In 1978, the Parrots lost to Granada Hills and John Elway. In 1987, they lost to Canoga Park in the final season of Coach Doug MacKenzie. In 1996, they lost to Kennedy, led by pitchers Derek Morse and Jon Garland. In 1992, they were upset by San Pedro.

Once again, the Parrots enter the final as an underdog. Chatsworth has well-rested left-hander Mike Kunes (12-1), the 1998 City player of the year.

Poly will use inexperienced No. 2 pitcher Manny Flores (6-0), a junior right-hander who started the season as an outfielder.

Meusborn took a gamble on Tuesday in saving Kunes, but it worked.

“We’re excited about having Mike throw and I’m sure he’s excited,” Meusborn said.

Kunes, bound for UCLA, is 24-3 over the last two seasons and has lost only once to a City Section pitcher--Kurt Birkins of El Camino Real in a 10-inning City final last season. He’s a control pitcher who relies on changing speeds, throwing strikes and letting his fielders make plays.

The challenge Poly offers is a lineup with capable hitters. The hottest is second baseman Juan Guerrero, who has 48 runs batted in and home runs against El Camino Real and Kennedy in the last two games.

Coach Chuck Schwal of Poly is hoping Flores can pitch four or five innings, keep the game close, then bring in senior Carlos Reguengo (14-2), who has three innings left.

“We’ll pitch by committee,” Schwal said. “We just have to step it up. We’ll try to battle our way to the fifth or sixth and get our senior on the hill. I like being the underdog. I’m going to be real relaxed. We’re facing a tough lefty. We’ve got all our lefties throwing in batting practice.”

The game reminds Schwal of the 1996 final, when the Parrots were a heavy underdog to Kennedy, scored three runs in the first inning but lost, 5-4.

“Nobody gave us a chance then and we played tough,” Schwal said. “Chatsworth is on a mission. We’ll be ready.”

Said Meusborn: “It’s going to go right down to the end. It’s going to be a dogfight. They’re an outstanding team and playing well.”

Playing on a field with the dimensions of Dodger Stadium tests the defensive skills of high school players. Catchers Albert Flores of Poly and Scott Drake of Chatsworth will be on the spot to block pitches in the dirt and prevent wild pitches that can lead to quick runs.

First basemen Angel Espindola of Poly and Charles Kenny of Chatsworth will be counted on to knock down errant throws in the dirt.

Chatsworth has lost only one game since spring break--to West Valley League nemesis El Camino Real.

Poly has lost only two games since spring break--to East Valley League rivals Sylmar and Grant.

The West Valley is considered the strongest league in the City, but Poly believes it is well-prepared for the Chancellors after facing strong opponents in the playoffs.

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If rain forces postponement of the City final, officials hope to play the game June 14 at Dodger Stadium, the next open date for the field.

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Cleveland (14-15) will make its first appearance at Dodger Stadium since 1982 today when it plays Huntington Park (23-9) in the Division championship game at 4 p.m.

The last time the Cavaliers played at Dodger Stadium, Bret Saberhagen pitched the only no-hitter in City Championship game history.

Junior left-hander Jason Wigginton (4-1) is expected to start for the Cavaliers, with catcher Tony Cicero ready to provide relief as he did in Cleveland’s 13-5 semifinal victory over top-seeded Carson.