CITY BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Kennedy Prevails for Title

Granada Hills Kennedy High catcher Kevin Serr hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning and pitcher Derek Morse pitched a four-hitter to lead the Cougars to the City 4-A baseball championship Thursday with a 3-1 victory over Carson at Dodger Stadium.

Serr’s homer, the first in a championship game since 1987, came off Carson reliever Scott McClasky and ended four innings of frustration for top-seeded Kennedy (26-4).

The Cougars had stranded six runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the third inning, against Colt starter and eventual losing pitcher David Herrera (6-2).

Carson (23-11) scored a run in the seventh on an infield single by pinch-hitter Louis Valenzuela.

But with the bases loaded and one out, Morse got pinch-hitter Adam Novak to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game.

Morse (8-3) scattered four hits and gave up one walk while striking out four.

Kennedy center fielder Terrmel Sledge was hit by a pitch to open the fifth inning. McClaskey then relieved Herrera and got two outs before surrendering a walk to George Kassis.

Serr homered over the 370 sign in left on McClaskey’s second pitch.

South Gate 9, Harbor City Narbonne 3--The Rams scored six runs on five hits in the top of the seventh inning to win the City 3-A title for the second time in three years.

South Gate right fielder Steve Toriz broke a 3-3 tie with a sacrifice fly, scoring Walter Cortez, who had singled.

The Rams (26-5) added insurance runs on an RBI triple by Andrew Silva, an RBI single by Danny Mojarro, and a two-run single by Albert Melchor. Narbonne finished 19-10.

Silva (4-2), who finished with two hits and two runs scored, pitched the final two innings.