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The Patriots need a sweep in a two-game series against El Camino Real this week to win the league title.

One week after throwing a shutout in eight innings against Chatsworth, he came through with a two-hit shutout of Birmingham in a 1-0 victory on Tuesday to deliver El Camino Real’s 13th consecutive win in West Valley League play and clinch the league championship.

El Camino Real, a nine-time City champion, will be the likely No. 1 seed when pairings are announced Saturday, and Howe is reminiscent of the great ECR pitchers from the past who led the team to championships, such as Randy Wolf, Kirk Birkins, Jose Cardona and Matt Malconian.

There will be an eight-team Open Division, and the challenge for El Camino Real and Birmingham might be having to face fellow West Valley League teams in the opening rounds.

Whatever happens, it would not be a surprise to see El Camino Real and Birmingham meet again for the championship at Dodger Stadium.