The Lancaster Jethawks got out to a 3-0 lead after three innings Monday night and made it stand up, beating Inland Empire 4-2 to sweep the South Division Finals. Kyle Westwood allowed two fifth-inning runs to the 66ers and four Jethawks relievers threw zeroes the rest of the way as Lancaster, the 2012 California League champions, returned to the Championship Series.
The 66ers swept a season-ending four game series at Lancaster to win the second half championship, while the Jethawks were first half champions. But in this post-season series, it was Lancaster who did the sweeping, and they await the winner of the Visalia-Bakersfield series in the North Division Finals.
RF Ronnie MItchell went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI for the Jethawks, finishing the series batting .455 (5-for-11). Westwood went 4 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and two walks, but just the two runs.
BAKERSFIELD STAYS ALIVE
The Bakersfield Blaze staved off elimination with a 7-3 win at Recreation Park in Visalia Monday night. The North Division Finals now stand at 2-1 in favor of the Rawhide with game four set for 6PM tonight.
Wandy Peralta went six innings for the Blaze, allowing four hits, two walks and two earned runs and OF Jeff Gelalich knocked in four runs. It was a 2-1 game through five when Bakersfield added to their lead with a three-run sixth. Single runs in the eighth and ninth offset Visalia’s comeback attempts.
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