High school baseball: Clovis West loses in D-I; Liberty-Madera Ranchos defends title

A 3-0 lead wasn’t safe for the Clovis West baseball team.

The Golden Eagles built an early lead, but Liberty-Bakersfield rallied in the third inning by scoring four runs and that lead held up in a 9-6 victory in a Central Section high school game at Valley Strong Ballpark in Visalia on Saturday night.

Clovis West was denied its first section title since 2004.

The Patriots added five runs in the fifth inning to pull away for good for their first section title in school history.

Golden Eagles pitcher Tyler Patrick pitched three innings, giving up two runs and striking out four. Brody Santos and Jake Turley also pitched and gave up a combined seven runs.

Liberty-Madera Ranchos wins section again

There was no denying Liberty-Madera Ranchos from becoming back-to-back section champion.

Hawks freshman Tyce Perez had a two-strike base hit to send the game into extra innings and McGuire Smith had a walk-off hit in a 3-2 victory over Independence in eight innings for the Division IV championship.

“These boys deserve it,” Liberty coach Derick Kuhn said. “They have worked so hard and to know they get rewarded with this is just a perfect feeling. Blessed to have a special group like this and this moment is priceless.

“Back against the wall and still finding a way shows what type of team this team is.”

Tough loss for Lindsay

Lindsay gave up a run in the fourth inning and lost to Chavez in the Division VI championship.

Julian Villarreal scored the lone run for the Titans.

Torres loses to Shafter in D-V

The Toros gave up three runs in the third inning in an 8-0 loss to Shafter.

Torres ends the season at 19-12.