SAN BERNARDINO - The newly crowned San Andreas League baseball champions formed a postgame handshake line, then raced to right field to pose for a picture commemorating the feat.

While San Bernardino Cajon split its previous two league titles with San Bernardino San Gorgonio, its 11-2 victory over the Spartans on Tuesday ensured for the first time in four years that it wouldn't have to share the crown.

"This is what you play baseball for," said Cajon junior Brandon Swanson, whose single in the fifth inning broke a 2-2 tie.

Cajon has proved over the past four seasons that is has little trouble thriving in the San Andreas League. The difficulty has come in distancing itself from its fellow elite. The Cowboys, who split titles in 2005 and 2007, last won outright in 2004.

Nearly six weeks after San Gorgonio stunned Cajon with a comeback victory in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cowboys took great steps Tuesday to ensure their lead was safe. Tied at 2 in the fifth inning, San Gorgonio intentionally walked Aaron Brooks to load the bases.

That's when Brooks turned to Swanson, standing in the on-deck circle, and told him to "get the job done."

His single up the middle scored two runs in what eventually became a six-run inning. The Cowboys (21-3, 13-1 in league) scored three more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

Two games behind Cajon entering this two-game series, San Gorgonio needed a win Tuesday to extend its quest for the league championship. Instead, the Spartans (18-6, 9-4) can drop to third place in league by week's end.

"This was do or die for us," San Gorgonio coach Bill Eatinger said.

Reach Michael Becker at 951-368-9528 or mbecker@PE.com