Sonora Clinches Title by Beating Buena Park

After stumbling to a second-place league finish last year, Sonora has left no doubt this year who is the Freeway’s best.

By romping past Buena Park, 10-2, on Friday, the Raiders clinched their second outright league title in the last three years. And Sonora (20-3, 12-1) gives the impression it does not plan on another first-round flop in the playoffs this time.

“Attitude has a lot to do with it,” said Coach Pat Tellers, dripping from the sparkling apple cider he and his players sprayed on each other after the final out.

“Last year was one of the strongest teams I’ve had. Yet something was missing--they just never found a niche. This team, left with the bad taste of last year, has had the strong work ethic from the beginning. I hope they believe they can go deep in the playoffs, because they can.”

They have convinced Buena Park (13-9, 8-5). The second-place Coyotes began the week as the last team with a chance to catch the Raiders, but were outscored, 19-3, and outhit, 24-6, in the two meetings.

“Sonora is very solid,” Coyote Coach Russ McHale said. “One of our goals this year was to represent ourselves as a good team. Now we have to play well these last two games going into the playoffs. It’s important we finish with two victories.”

The Raiders put this game away early, scoring six runs in the second off Buena Park right-hander Daniel Flores (7-2). Four came on the grand slam by Ryan Vorell, his eighth home run this season. He now has 42 RBIs.

Sonora’s Jeremy Weinberg (9-1) gave up only one hit over the first five innings. Buena Park finished with four hits and two unearned runs.

Weinberg, who struck out seven and walked two in seven innings, said Sonora has used the memory of last year’s disappointment as motivation.

“We definitely want to go farther this year,” Weinberg said. “We know we have good pitching and a bunch of clutch hitters.”