BASEBALL: San Gabriel Valley Babe Ruth all-stars reach regional final

UCLA freshman Cody Regis hit his third home run in the past two contests and Arcadia graduate Bryce Rutherford surrendered two hits and struck out seven in a complete-game effort Sunday night as the San Gabriel Valley 18-under Babe Ruth all-star baseball team defeated host Watsonville 5-2 in the winner's-bracket final of the Pacific Southwest Regional tournament.

San Gabriel Valley, coached by Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta's Phil Torres, supported the Azusa Pacific-bound Rutherford with a 4-0 lead, sparked by Regis' first-inning home run. Regis added a single and Tim Smoley (Arcadia/Rio Hondo College) doubled and scored for San Gabriel Valley, which plays Watsonville or Modesto at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the regional final.

Bishop Amat of La Puente catcher Jerry McClanihan singled, as did C.V.'s Eddie Lee and Nate Rousey for the Southern California champions. Lee's infield single scored Smoley for an important insurance run after Watsonville -- which recorded a 4-3 victory Saturday over Modesto -- had cut the deficit to 4-2.