For the third time this season, Ashton Goddard pitched a key game shutout 4-0 for Laguna Tuesday, May 24. The victory will send the Breakers to the Southern Section CIF Division 4 quarterfinal contest, which is to be played Friday, May 27, though the location was unsettled as of press time. (Consult Maxpreps.com)
Goddard went the distance at Patriot High School in Riverside, giving up just two hits, one walk and striking out nine to earn his fourth win of the season. Goddard’s 1.80 earned run average for the season ranks ninth all-time for Laguna.
Earlier this year, the junior threw a three-hit complete game shutout against third-ranked, Division 3 Woodbridge on March 29 and a four-hitter against Calvary Chapel on April 20.
Against the Patriots (18-12), Laguna scored a lone run in the fourth inning as senior Zak Kovacic singled home Dustin Angus. Breakers took the 1-0 lead into the final at-bat, but added three insurance runs as pinch hitter Cutter Clawson singled followed by Grady Morgan’s triple. Jack Simon made it 3-0 on a single and he eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Dustin Angus.
Goddard took the mound to close out the seventh, walking a batter after the initial out before the Patriots grounded into a double play to end the game.
Friday’s game with California High School of Whittier is Laguna’s fourth time in the quarterfinal contest, last appearing in 2014. Breakers have advanced to the semifinals only twice and never to the finals. If Laguna wins on Friday, the semifinal will be on Tuesday, May 31, at Laguna and this year’s final will be held on Saturday, June 4, at the San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino.
Laguna’s 17 season wins rank sixth all-time for the Breakers and Coach Michael Bair’s five seasons guiding Laguna have been five of the top six seasons for the 78-year old program.
Last Thursday, Laguna survived some sloppy play to edge Savanna 4-2 to open the playoffs. Breakers missed some early scoring opportunities and only pulled off a three-run rally in the third. Connor Basile beat out the catcher’s throw to first base on a dropped ball that had been called a third strike, giving Laguna an extra out. Dustin Agnus followed Basile with double scoring by Jack Simon and the rally was on.
Breakers almost gave it back after pitcher Blake Burzell opened the fifth inning hitting the first two batters and eventually allowing the visitors to score two runs. The Rebels were then shut down as John Ogden came in relief, throwing just a few pitches to get six outs with a dominating performance.
