Montes Slams Barons, Secures Griffins' Playoff Spot

Los Alamitos senior outfielder Moises Montes hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning that broke the game open and lifted the Griffins to a 6-1 victory over Fountain Valley in a Sunset League baseball game on Thursday afternoon at Fountain Valley High.

The victory secured the Griffins (12-13-1 overall, 8-6-1) an automatic berth in the  CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, which begin next week. With an overall record below .500, the Griffins needed a win to secure a playoff berth and Griffin coach Aaron Moore said their experienced players made the difference.

“The seniors stepped up for us big time,” Moore said.

Los Alamitos got off to a slow start as Fountain Valley senior pitcher Taylor Martin retired the first six batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning.

Montes was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth inning and was followed by a walk to senior shortstop Nick Vilter. After a fielder’s choice, junior first baseman Michael Farris singled for the Griffins' first hit and drove in Vilter to tie the score at 1-1. A line drive out was followed by a Barons throwing error that allowed junior infielder Dan Austin to score from second base for a 2-1 lead.

The score would stay that way until the top of the seventh inning, which the Griffins started with three consecutive singles to set up Montes.

With a victory over Los Alamitos either Tuesday or Thursday, Fountain Valley could have secured an automatic playoff bid, but the Barons (15-11, 8-7) will still be in consideration for an at-large berth.

Fountain Valley took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after a leadoff double by junior Turner Clouse. Two outs later, senior left fielder Charlie Stephens' single drove in Clouse.

The Barons struggled to spark their offense. A one-out single by freshman Daniel Patzlaff was followed by a fly ball and a strikeout. And a one-out single by junior catcher Matt Gasparro was followed by a ground ball and a pop up. Fountain Valley had a one-out single and a walk in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Reynolds got two fly balls to center field to end the game.

“We didn’t hit," Barons assistant coach Deric Yanagisawa said. "Reynolds did a good job, he kept us off balance, and they got timely hits when they needed it.”

Los Alamitos seniors Keaton Quaack and Sam Lorenzini led off the top of the seventh inning with singles and junior outfielder Patrick Iverson followed with a single to load the bases for Montes. Montes then roped the first pitch he saw for a line drive inside the left-field foul pole. Montes said he was just looking to hit the ball hard with the bases loaded.

“I was just looking for a pitch to hammer," he said. "Once I saw it, I just turned on it.”

It was the third consecutive league game in which the Griffins allowed only one run. Fountain Valley was able to keep the game close with some key defense, including an inning-ending double play in the fifth with two runners on base.

“I was proud of our kids in league," Griffins coach Aaron Moore said. "League was the most important thing, and I think we stepped up and did a good job.”

Turns out, thanks to league-leading Edison's 10-4 victory over Marina on Thursday, Los Alamitos finished in a tie for second with the Vikings, but because they won the season series, the Griffins will receive the league's higher seed to the playoffs.