Rancho opens West Regional with win

David Modler went 2-for-5 with a double, three runs and four RBIs on Thursday to lead Rancho to a 9-5 win over Pomona (Colo.) in the opening game of the American Legion Western Regional in Surprise, Ariz.

Modler’s two-run double with two outs in the second inning gave the Post 8 Rams the lead for good at 3-1.

Josh Mill allowed just three hits and four walks while striking out nine in seven innings for Rancho (29-18), which will play again at 5 p.m. Friday.

Jose Verdugo got out of bases-loaded jams in both the eighth and ninth innings, retiring potential tying run Zachary Langerak on a fly ball to left field to end the game.

Verdugo was 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, and Abel Martinez was 3-for-4 with two runs for Rancho.