Montes keeps Los Al playoff hopes alive

Los Alamitos needed to win to get into the playoffs, and did so — in grand style.

Moises Montes hit a grand slam in the sixth inning to put the game out reach for Los Alamitos in a 6-1 victory over Fountain Valley in a Sunset League game Thursday at Fountain Valley High on the final day of the regular season.

It was a must-win game for Los Alamitos.

If Los Alamitos's Griffins had lost Thursday, they would have finished in fourth place in the six-team Sunset League.

With only the top three Sunset finishers receiving guaranteed playoff berths, a fourth-place finish would have kept Los Alamitos away not only from a guaranteed berth but also would have kept Griffins out of contention for an at-large berth because they would not have finished with the .500 or better overall record required for at-large eligibility.

Fountain Valley finished fourth, but is a strong candidate for an at-large berth in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. The Barons' 15-10 record qualifies them for at-large berth consideration. If they get an at-large berth, the Barons will play in the wild-card round Tuesday, likely against another league's No. 3 or No. 4 team in an away game.

Los Alamitos, as a No. 2 playoff representative, will play in the first round next Friday against another league's No. 2 or No. 3 team, and that game could be a home or away game for Los Alamitos. All Sunset League playoff teams play in Division 1.

The Griffins (11-13-1 overall, 8-6-1) had a 2-1 lead going into the sixth inning. Consecutive singles by Keaton Quaack, Sam Lorenzini and Patrick Ivison loaded the bases for Montes, who pulled a line drive down the left field line, over the 310-feet sign and just inside the foul pole.

"I don't think I've ever done that," replied Montes when asked if his third homer of the season was his first lifetime grand slam.

Brandon Reynolds pitched a complete game for the Griffins. He allowed six hits, struck out four and walked one.

Los Alamitos coach Aaron Moore had told the Griffins players before the season this would be his final year, his second at the school, coaching the team.

Los Al finished last in the Sunset League last season with a 5-10 league record, the same record the Griffins had in league in 2009 before he was hired.

"These kids on this team went all year knowing about this," Moore said. "For them to stay focused and finish in second place, I'm very proud of them."

In the Century League:

No. 7 Esperanza 2, Foothill 1: Mitch Christensen had three hits for the visiting, league-champion Aztecs (19-10, 9-3).

In the Golden West League:

Westminster 2, Orange 1: Greg Mahle pitched a complete game for the visiting, league-champion Lions (15-11, 12-3).

In the Orange League:

Savanna 18, Magnolia 4: Joseph Rivera drove in five runs for the visiting Rebels (17-10, 13-2).

Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com