Monroe Turns 4-A Upside-Down, 11-2

Nine years after an improbable run to the City Section 4-A Division baseball title, Monroe High is at it again.

The Vikings (13-14), seeded 16th and last, scored seven runs in the first two innings and stunned top-seeded Carson, 11-2, in a first-round game Tuesday at Carson (24-7-1).

On Thursday, Monroe will play at Banning--the team the Vikings beat in the quarterfinals in 1988 en route to winning the City Section title with a losing record.

John Ennis had four hits and five runs batted in for Monroe (13-14). Victor Hall had a two-run double in the first inning and finished with three RBIs.

Ennis pitched a seven-hitter with three strikeouts and three walks.

Kennedy 10, San Pedro 1--Wes Crown (7-3) allowed three hits and struck out 11 in six innings, and Jairo Quezada had two hits, including a home run, and four RBIs for the Golden Cougars (21-10) in a 4-A game at Kennedy.

Jon Garland had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs, Tim Arroyo had three hits and scored two runs, and Josh Miranda had a double, a triple and scored two runs for the Golden Cougars.

El Camino Real 17, Westchester 12--Jared Maiden hit a three-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to highlight an 11-run inning for the Conquistadores in a 4-A game (17-10) at El Camino Real.

Woody Cliffords had four hits and drove in five runs for El Camino Real.

Joe Merchan was four for four and had three RBIs for the sixth-seeded Conquistadores.

Ben Bishop, Adam Hernandez, Bryan Minoreach each had three hits for Westchester (20-12).

El Camino Real ace Shaun Fishman (5-5), pitching for the first time in three weeks after being hampered by a strained hamstring, pitched four innings.

University 9, North Hollywood 7--The third-seeded Huskies (25-7) fell behind, 5-2, after 2 1/2 innings and never caught up against the 14th-seeded Warriors (19-13) in a 4-A game at North Hollywood.

Merrill Dunn (9-3) had two doubles and scored two runs for the Huskies, but was rocked for eight runs (five earned) and 11 hits in four innings.

Ismael Rangsiyawong had two hits, including a double, and scored two runs, and Edgar Pineda had two stolen bases and two RBIs for North Hollywood, the East Valley League champion.

Palisades 9, Birmingham 1--Jeremiah Harrington (8-0) pitched a four-hitter with three strikeouts and hit two home runs for the Dolphins (23-10) in a 4-A game at Palisades.

Jon Leicester, a shortstop who has signed with Cal State Northridge, hit his 10th home run for fifth-seeded Palisades, which will play Kennedy on Thursday.

Billy McGrath had a home run to lead off the second inning for Birmingham (16-16).

Banning 9, Poly 3--Juan Guerrero had two hits and drove in a run, but the Parrots (18-13) walked 12 batters in a 4-A game at Poly.

Garfield 13, Verdugo Hills 1--The Dons (12-7) were stopped cold by Leo Acevedo, who threw a six-hitter, striking out four at Garfield in the 3-A playoffs.

Acevedo also had two hits. Ruben Antelo had two triples and four RBIs for the Bulldogs (21-10).