Baseball (5-5, 2-2)
Laguna climbed back into the playoff picture with a pair of big wins last week in Orange Coast League play. On Wednesday, Grant Wilhelm pitched a complete game 4-0 shutout over Costa Mesa (2-8, 0-4) at the loser’s field. Wilhelm allowed three hits and struck-out 13 Mustang batters. Laguna bats continued to struggle banging out only six hits.
On Friday, Laguna came back from a 3-0 deficit to roll past Godinez (4-6, 1-2) 10-4 at the Grizzlies’ field. Blake Hestor’s three hits and three runs-batted-in led Laguna. Wilhelm had the big hit with his first home run. Larry Stewart earned the win, striking out five.
Laguna close out their first round of league play this past week traveling to Saddleback (1-7, 1-2) on Friday, March 30. Starting on Saturday, March 31, Laguna plays in the competitive Anaheim Lion’s Tournament.
Key second round league games are with Estancia (April 17 and 20) and Calvary Chapel (April 24 and 27). Calvary (8-0, 3-0) appears to be the top team in the league while Breakers match up with Estancia (8-1, 3-0) that has played a weaker pre-league schedule.
Season Statistics thru game 9:
Batting Average: .500 McInerny, .387 – Hester, .333 Rieckhoff
Hits: 14 – McInerny, 12 – Hester
Runs: 8 – Hester, Mcinerny
Runs-Batted-in: 11 – McInerny
Doubles: 4 – McInerny
Home Runs: 3 – McInerny
Pitching:
Innings: 20 – Wilhelm
Strikouts: 23 – Wilhelm
Wins: 3 – Wilhelm
Team Batting average: .288
Boys Golf (1-9, 1-2)
Laguna dropped a 192-223 dual match on March 20 at Mesa Verde Golf Course in Costa Mesa as their star golfer, Jake Knapp, shot a 35 for the front nine. On Wednesday, March 21, Breakers lost a non-league match to Aliso Niguel 186-202. Laguna lost to Calvary Chapel 193-232 on March 26 at Mile Square. Laguna faced Costa Mesa this week hoping to snap their seven match losing streak.
Softball (7-4)
Breakers tuned up for league play that opened this past week with an 11-4 win over Santa Ana on March 22 at the Thurston field. Laguna was down 4-1 in the third inning when the Breakers scored four runs to take the lead as Veronica Clancy singled in the go-ahead tally. Big hits came from Karinna Reiss in a three-run double and home runs by Cory Kent and Haley Putnam.
Laguna opened play this week at Estancia (5-10) on Tuesday and Calvary Chapel (7-3) on Thursday, March 29. Conference play resumes on April 17. Breakers are a solid threat to earn a playoff spot this season.
Swimming
The Swim squad took time-out last week league dual meets to take on Mission Viejo at the Diablo pool. Varsity Boys – Laguna Beach 92 – Mission Viejo 78 JV Boys – Laguna Beach 79 Mission Viejo 75
Varsity Girls – Mission Viejo 86 Laguna Beach 81 JV Girls – Mission Viejo 121 Laguna Beach 31
Breakers faced Godinez and Calvary this past week and meet Saddleback on April 18. The league dual meet crown will be settled when Costa Mesa meets Laguna on April 25 at the local pool.
Boys Tennis (3-6, 3-0)
Last week Laguna took two league matches defeating Godinez 15-3 on March 20 and Costa Mesa 15-3 on March 22. Breakers then traveled to Santa Margarita on March 23 losing to the Eagles 14-4. Beakers faced Saddleback and Estancia this week and a non- league match with Whitney on March 28. Next week Laguna will face D-III # 1 Sage Hill on April 3 and will also play Cerritos on april 5. League play resumes on April 19.
SSCIF D-IV Poll for March 26: 1- Viewpoint, 2 – Santa Ynez, 3 – Paramount, 4 – Laguna Beach, 5 – Segerstrom, 6 – Buckley, 7 Estancia, 8 – La Quinta/Westminster, 9 – Linfield Christian, 10 – Cate.
Track & Field ( 2-0 in OCL)
Boys Varsity – Laguna 93 Calvary 34
Event Winners were: Jeff White, 1600M, Spencer Anderson, 110 hurdles; Kevin Tovar, 400M;
Mike Lee, 800M; Ricky Delatorre, shot and disc; Kilare Pike, high jump; Joey Gallo, triple jump
Girls Varsity – Laguna 85 Calvary 35
Event Winners were: Darby Winson, 100 hurdles; Janie Crawford, 400M and triple jump; Natasha Strickland, 800M; Monica White, 300 hurdles; Aundery Rodriguez, 3200M; Jane Wallin, shot put and disc.
Boys Volleyball (12-6, 2-0)
Laguna opened Orange Coast League play in pursuit of their sixth straight league title with a pair of wins last week. On Tuesday, the Breakers defeated Estancia (2-8, 0-1) 25-14, 25-15, 25-14 as nine different Laguna players recorded kills. Lucas Capobianco led the team with seven kills and two service aces. On Thursday, Breakers stopped Calvary Chapel (5-5, 1-1) 25-15, 25-17, 25-11 as Weston Barnes recorded 13 kills while Max McCarter had 11 and a solo block. Austin Hillemann and Jack Winn continued to lead the team in serving with long serving runs. Jake Hexburg set a season high with 24 digs. The win was Laguna’s 31st consecutive league match victory. On Wednesday, the Breakers traveled Corona del Mar dropping a tough 25-23, 25-16, 25-18 match to the Sea kings (10-4). Breakers fell behind in the first set at 9-7 and could not get closer than one point the rest of the set. Overall Austin Hillemann and Jackson Pries played exceptionally well against the defending section champions.
Breakers now lead the all-time best of five set series with Estancia 44-4, Corona del Mar 29-24, and Calvary 20-1. Breakers saw action this week with Godinez and Costa Mesa and have a single match next Wednesday, April 4 at Sunset League favorite, Huntington Beach.
SSCIF D-II Poll for March 26: 1 – Oak Park, 2 – Corona del Mar, 3 – Laguna Beach, 4 – Valencia/Valencia, 5 – Capistrano Valley, 6 – Trabuco Hills, 7 – San Juan Hills, 8 – Aliso Niguel, 9 – Oaks Christian, 10 – El Toro. Others: Paloma Valley, Irvine.
Southern Section CIF Playoff Grouping to Change
The playoff division assignments for all sports except basketball, cross country, and track are based on a subjective “league equity” assessment. Each cycle is now two years with the new division assignments taking place beginning next fall. The final placements will be voted on by the Southern Section CIF Council on April 25. The Indy will review the changes for all Laguna teams once the final assignments are approved. Breakers currently play in the top division only in girls water polo and tennis.
