Baseball (3-3, 5-7)
Laguna stumbled last Friday dropping a tough 3-0 contest to Saddleback at the Roadrunner campus to finish their first round at 2-3 in a three-way tie with Godinez and Saddleback for the last playoff spot. Both Laguna and Saddleback (2-3, 2-9) had seven hits but the Roadrunners made theirs count with three earned runs. This makes the Breakers’ “second” league season, which begins April 17, crucial to earn a SSCIF Division 4 playoff berth.
Laguna actually started the second portion of league play early with a single game last Tuesday at Costa Mesa (0-6, 2-10). Results were an expected 18-2 Laguna win with the Breakers piling up 18 hits including five by Larry Stewart and three by Preston Grand Pre. Jackson Rees picked up the win. Breakers concluded their series with Mesa on April 5.
Last weekend, Breakers opened their participation in the 38th annual Anaheim Lions Tournament with an 11-0 victory over Western Christian (Upland) in a Saturday morning contest played at Boysen Park in Anaheim. Grant Wilhelm picked up his fourth victory using his bat to help the effort with three hits, three runs scored and three runs batted in. In the nightcap, Kelso, Wash., (4-1) hammered Laguna 17-4 in a six inning contest at the same field. On Monday, Laguna traveled to Fullerton and defeated the Indians 5-0 with Jackson Rees picking up his second straight victory. Breakers were led at the plate by Steven Harrison with three hits including a solo home run. Robbie McInerny also had three hits and two runs batted in.
Breakers concluded tournament play on Tuesday, April 3, facing Buena Park and playoff tournament contest on April 4.
Statistical Leaders through April 2 (14 games)
Batting Average: .417 Blake Hester
Hits: 20 Blake Hester
Runs Scored: 12 Robbie McInerny, Grant Wilhelm
RBI’s : 17 Grant Wilhelm
Doubles : 5 Robbie McInerny, Blake Hester
Home Runs: 3 Robbie McInerny, Steven Harrison
Pitching Wins: 4 Grant Wilhelm
ERA: 2.15 Grant Wilhelm
Team Batting Average: .318
Boys Golf (2-2, 2-9)
Laguna lost to second place Calvary Chapel 193-232 on the back nine at Mile Square Golf Course but bounced back to defeat Costa Mesa 187-230 at Mesa Linda in Costa Mesa.
Softball (1-1, 9-5)
Laguna split a pair of league games last week defeating Estancia (0-2, 5-14) 10-0 in a five inning contest on the local softball field at Thurston Middle School. Laguna’s Kennedi Gherardini had four RBIs off a double and HR. Jen Sorenson made two great catches in center field to go with a three-for-four performance at the plate, including an RBI double. Carissa Collins had a two-RBI single, and Jordan Hartman started things off with a solo shot in the first. Starter Haley Putnam scattered three hits, striking out five with no walks
On Thursday, March 29, Laguna lost 6-0 to Calvary Chapel (2-0, 11-4) at Orange Coast College. Breakers defeated La Quinta/Westminster 9-4 in a non-league contest last Friday. Breakers are off until April 17 when they travel to Godinez (2-0, 11-6).
Swimming
Laguna varsity squads continued to roll through the league on Wednesday, March 28, with Laguna girls 87, Godinez 75; Laguna boys 54, Godinez 16; girls 112, Calvary 4; and boys 123, Calvary 16.
Top marks: Mackenzie Fischer, 2nd, 100 Breaststroke, 1:14.0; Yoshi Andersen, 1st, 100 Freestyle, 56.2; Erik Juliusson, 1st, 100 Free, 49.65; and Dane Doran, 1st, 200 M, 2:13.72
Breakers remaining league dual meets are at Saddleback on April 18 and the league-title showdown with Costa Mesa on April 25.
Boys Tennis (5-0, 5-7)
Laguna knocked off their key league rival with an 11-7 win on the Eagle’s courts. With the win, Laguna has a two-match lead with three matches remaining. This past week, Laguna faced two non-league opponents with Sage Hill and Cerritos with league play resuming on April 19. Laguna is still ranked # 4 in the SSCIF D-4 poll.
Track & Field
Breakers split a pair of dual meets last week with the boys rolling past Saddleback 91-36 on Tuesday, March 27, but losing 77-42 to Godinez on Thursday as a number of athletes were held out for last Saturday’s Trabuco Invitational. Girls followed the boys in similar fashion defeating Saddleback 109-19 but losing to Godinez 80-46. The league formula for determining the team champion awards double points for the team finish in the league meet, diminishing the emphasis on the team dual results. Expect a full strength Breaker squad at the fifth annual Orange Coast League Meet Finals on May 3 at Hulst Oval on the Laguna campus.
Boys Volleyball (4-0, 14-6)
Breakers continued to romp through Orange Coast League play defeating Godinez (0-3, 4-12) 25-15, 25-16, 25-17 at the Grizzly campus on March 27 with Jake Hexburg leading the team with 10 kills and JP Wollam with 10 digs. On Thursday, March 29, Laguna swept Costa Mesa (1-3, 2-8) 25-16, 25-15, 25-8 at Dugger Gym as Weston Barnes’ 14 kills and Austin Hillemann with 11 led the match. Breakers are now 59-1 against the Mustangs and have extended their Orange Coast League match win-streak to 32 consecutive matches and 68 consecutive sets (games). Laguna traveled to Huntington Beach this past Wednesday for a non-league match against the top Sunset League squad and are off until April 17 when they travel to Saddleback (3-1, 10-13).
