Laguna baseball completed a successful spring break, going 4-1 in the Ryan Lemmon Tournament in Irvine. The only loss for the week was to eventual champion Marina. Zak Kovacic was named to the all-tournament team for his efforts in the week’s games, but the squad’s success was truly a team effort. More information can be found at the Ryan Lemmon Tournament site.
Laguna 10, Torrance 9
In a rematch of last year’s CIF semifinal game Wednesday, April 8, the Breakers turned the tables and came out the winners as they battled back from a 5-0 deficit and held off the Tartars for the improbable win. Will McInerny went the entire distance as pitcher, giving up only four earned runs as five Laguna errors contributed to the Torrance score. Jake Smith was honored as the player of the game for three stolen bases, two runs scored, and two key hits.
Laguna 7, Tustin 5 (Thursday, April 9 @ Windrow Park)
The 52nd meeting between Tustin and Laguna took place last Thursday, April 9, in Irvine to conclude their tournament play. Once rivals years ago in the Orange and Crestview Leagues, the Division I Tillers and Breakers had only met once since 1970, a 4-2 Laguna win at Tustin in 2010. Breakers added to that win streak with another hard fought team win. The pitching staff did a great job with Jack Loechner going the first three innings before being replaced by Zak Kovacic to finish the fourth inning. After some pitching changes and struggles, the game was tied in the sixth after a wild pitch scored a Tustin run. In the bottom of the sixth, Loechner led off with a double. After some smart base running and Tiller mistakes, the Breakers took the lead for good, eventually adding three runs. Burzell closed out the top of the seventh with strong pitching and Laguna had the 10th win of the season.
Statistical leaders after 15 games:
Batting Average: .390 Will McInerny, .357 Dante Faicchio, .351 Alex Baker, .343 Jake Smith
Hits: 16– Anthony Norelli, Will McInerny, 15 – Dante Faicchio
Doubles: 6 – Will Mcinerny
Runs: 17 – Anthony Norelli
Stolen Bases: 8 – Anthony Norelli
RBI – 14 – Will McInerney
ERA: 2.82 – Will McInerney (4-0), 3.18 – Ashton Goddard (3-2), 3.50 – Blake Burzell (2-2)
Strikeouts: 23 – McInerny, 16 – Burzell
Team Batting Ave is .320
Team ERA is 4.92
Up Next: Breakers played El Modena (11-5) at Anaheim Stadium on Tuesday, April 14. League play resumed at home on Wednesday, April 15, for the 100th all-time meeting with Costa Mesa. Laguna will have a two-game series with Saddleback next week.
SSCIF D-4 Poll for April 13: 1 – Sonora, 2 – West Torrance, 3 – California, 4 – South Torrance, 5 – Oak Hills, 6 – Ramona, 7 – Laguna Beach, 8 – Don Lugo, 9 – San Gorgonio, 10 – Alhambra Others: Calvary Chapel, Alta Loma, Kaiser.