Slideshow: Canyon Springs baseball vs. Vista del Lago

MORENO VALLEY - The Moreno Valley Canyon Springs baseball team can spend hours computing the circumstances necessary to win the Inland Valley League title, or it can ease the process by winning its final three games.

"We don't want to get into those scenarios," Canyon Springs coach Darious Carter said.

The Cougars, who beat Moreno Valley Vista del Lago, 6-4, on Tuesday, can win the Inland Valley League championship outright by winning their game Thursday against Vista del Lago and two next week against Moreno Valley. Of course, the picture becomes muddied should the Cougars lose. Vista del Lago and Moreno Valley Valley View can still claim at least a share of the title.

Story continues below

Ed Crisostomo / The Press-Enterprise

Canyon Springs pitcher Jonathan Bengard gets the win as the Cougars top Vista del Lago in a big Inland Valley League game.

The Cougars moved closer with their win at Vista del Lago, which led the league by one full game heading into its two-game series this week. But Vista del Lago (15-8, 8-3 in league) has played two more league games than Canyon Springs (13-6, 7-2) and needs a win in the rematch Thursday to clinch a share of the title.

The first game, however, went to the Cougars, who used a four-run fourth inning to take a 5-1 lead. They faced little resistance until the bottom of the seventh, up 6-3.

With runners on second and third, pitcher Jonathan Bengard intentionally walked Erik Wallace to load the bases, putting the tying run on first base. Alfonso Vargas then hit a sacrifice fly to center before Andy Abrams grounded out to end the game.

The Cougars reached the playoffs last season by winning their final seven games and they see a similar scenario playing out before them this year, albeit with bigger stakes.

"Now it's in our grasp," said Cougars second baseman Joseph Williams, who batted 3 for 4. "We want it bad."