Laguna’s school-record win streak came to an end this past Monday at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove as the Mariners defeated Laguna 6-1 for the first loss of 2011. Chris Paul struggled on the mound but it was Laguna’s defense that handed the host team plenty of opportunities with seven errors. Still, Laguna almost came back in the fourth inning. Down 3-1, the Breakers threatened with the bases loaded and no outs but could not generate a run. Pacifica (9-5) iced the contest with a three-run sixth inning.
Laguna played at Sunny Hills on Tuesday and had a playoff game scheduled for Wednesday to wrap up their participation in the 37th Anaheim Lions Tournament. Breakers return to league play on April 12 when they host Estancia.
Last week Laguna defeated Saddleback 25-0 on Thursday, March 31, at Skipper Carrillo Field. The run total shattered the school record of 22 runs scored against Capistrano in 1945 (22-2) and in 1953 (22-1). Keaton Jones led the hit parade going four for four driving in five runs. Breakers sent 15 different players to bat banging out 21 hits. Larry Stewart and Zach Graf shared the pitching limiting the Roadrunners (3-9, 0-5) to five hits.
On Saturday, Laguna played a doubleheader at Anaheim’s Boysen Park as part of the Anaheim Lions Tournament. In the morning game, Laguna rallied from a 4-4 tie do defeat the Rams 7-5. Eric Peruzzi went three for four with four runs batted in to lead Laguna.
In the afternoon contest, the Breakers stunned Peninsula, ranked No. 5 in CIF’s Southern Section Division II, 2-0 behind Keaton Jones three-hit pitching performance. The senior, making his first start of the year, struck out eight Panther batters. Laguna scored their only runs in the first inning after Jones singled, Chris Paul tripled to score Jones and Paul came home on a hit by Eric Peruzzi. The key to the contest win was Laguna’s flawless defense that backed up the pitching performance of Jones.
Southern Section CIF D-IV Poll for April 4:
1 – Bishop Amat, 2 – Palm Desert, 3 – Oaks Christian, 4 – Torrance, 5 – Laguna Beach, 6 – Chino, 7 – Indio, 8 – Colony, 9 – Troy, 10 – San Dimas. Also receiving votes: Lawndale, Don Lugo.
