Tigers Back Up Words, Win Title

They’re loud, cocky and fear no one.

That’s how San Fernando High plays baseball this season, and the rest of the City Section had better take notice.

The Tigers clinched their first league championship since 1990 on Thursday with an 8-6 victory over Sylmar in a Valley Mission League game at Sylmar.

San Fernando made an eight-run second inning hold up--barely.

Sylmar, trying to overcome an 8-0 deficit, closed to within two runs on Victor Anguiano’s two-run single in the sixth inning.

Starter Jose Montes of San Fernando walked eight, and reliever Manny Flores walked one and hit a batter before Abraham Gonzalez moved from right field to the mound in the sixth.

With the tying run on second, Gonzalez got Brian Tabura to ground out, ending the rally. In the seventh, he retired the side in order , giving San Fernando (17-10, 12-2 in league play) a two-game lead over Sylmar (17-8, 10-4) and Kennedy (18-11-1, 10-4) with one to play.

San Fernando threatened to end the game early by virtue of the 10-run rule after sending 14 batters to the plate in the second inning and scoring eight runs.

Jesus Martinez had three hits, and Jesse Alvarez and Jess Moreno each had two for San Fernando.

No one will be giving the Tigers an award for sportsmanship, based on the noise and comments they make during games, but they have been backing up the talk.

“We yell, the other team yells and it gets more fun,” said Gonzalez (8-2).