By Aaron Coloma

A seven-run ninth inning helped the San Fernando Tigers snatch an 11-4 win against the Kennedy Cougars for their first win in Valley Mission League play Thursday evening.

All 11 Tigers to step into the batter’s box reached base during their third extra-inning win this season. Ray Pelayo led San Fernando from the leadoff spot with two runs, two RBI and three stolen bases.

“These guys have been doing this all year,” said Tigers coach Ray Figueroa. “Our second game of the year we had to go nine innings, our third game of the year we had to go nine innings, so these guys are no strangers to playing extra innings. There’s no ‘give up’ in these guys, and that’s the thing I’m most proud of in this group.”

San Fernando struck first in the matchup when Ramon Amezcua doubled to deep left, bringing home Pelayo. Alex Torres pitched the first seven innings for the Tigers, delivering eight strikeouts and one walk on 106 pitches.

“I thought [Alex] Torres threw well,” said Figueroa. “He was attacking early in the counts, forcing them to put the ball in play, forcing our defense to work, he did a great job of it. I know he had a good number of strikeouts early on.”

The Tigers extended their lead in the second inning, plating three runners following three consecutive errors by the Cougars’ defense. Nicholas Ortiz drove home a run for the Cougars in the bottom of the inning, but got caught in a run down before more damage could be done.

“We kind of kicked the ball around,” said Cougars head coach Andy Rodriguez. “We had some baserunning mistakes. We finally looked like we were going to come alive, then we ran ourselves out of it and the inning’s over.”

The score remained unchanged until the fifth inning, when a two-out bunt single from Rocky Marin gave Kennedy runners on the corners with only one out. A clutch double from Alonso Ortiz scored both of them, and he would touch home to tie the game at four after an Anthony Rodriguez single on the next at bat.

“Alonso Ortiz coming up in a clutch situation, he’s a senior, he’s fighting for a spot,” said Andy Rodriguez. “We had to put him in early on because our first baseman made those mistakes and Alonso came in, clutch situation, and he got the job done, which is awesome to see. I mean, I’m happy for him.”

Neither team would cross the plate until the top of the ninth, when a series of walks and singles brought in seven runs for the Tigers, who saw their lead out to the end thanks to two Andres Salazar strikeouts.

“We’ve got to keep the energy, man,” said Figueroa. “That’s the biggest thing for us, keeping positive energy in the dugout, fighting for one another and pushing one another to get better and to be successful.”

San Fernando will try to carry their momentum into the Tiger Invitational against South Gate Mar. 22 at 11:00 a.m. Kennedy will try to rebound from their third consecutive loss at Santa Paula Mar. 22 before traveling to North Hollywood to resume Valley Mission League Play Mar. 24 at 3:30.

“I always remind them that this is a tough game to play,” said Andy Rodriguez. “We just have to keep grinding. We haven’t seen our best baseball yet, and if we can get it turned around early enough, I think we can compete.”