Baseball (3-0)
Off to their best start since 2006, Breakers opened their 73rd season of varsity baseball with three straight victories in the Newport Elks Tournament. Laguna stopped a good Westminster squad 2-0 last Friday at Skipper Carrillo Field behind the pitching and hitting of Chris Paul. The senior struck out nine in six innings plus drove in both Laguna runs with his bat. The two-time all-CIF player will continue his career next year at UC Santa Barbara.
On Saturday, Larry Stewart pitched five innings with Jake Herbert and Jack Pillsbury in relief as Laguna defeated Norte Vista at the Riverside school’s field. Paul was two for four in hits driving in four runs while Robbie McInerny driving in three runs on two hits. Travis Clawson added a home run and Keaton Jones also aided the scoring.
This past Monday, Laguna won their third straight with a 4-3 victory over Savanna at Carrillo Field.
Jackson Rees got the victory with Keaton Jones the save in relief. Austin Paxson, Chris Paul, and Steven Harrison had multiple hits in the contest.
Breakers went for their record, tying four consecutive wins this past Wednesday hosting Segerstrom
in tournament play. In the 16 seasons of participating in this tournament, Laguna has never won more than three games.
Softball (1-0)
Laguna returned to varsity action after a three-year absence with a victory and a new home field.
Breakers dedicated their new home at Thurston Middle School with a 13-7 victory over Connelly on Wednesday, March 2. Pitcher Haley Putnam (So) went four for four in hitting including a home run to pace the Breakers in the win. Mike Hunter’s team faced Corona del Mar this past Tuesday and traveled to Buena Park yesterday. Next home game at the Thurston Field is Monday. First pitch will be at 3:15 p.m.
Boys Tennis (0-1)
Breakers opened their 77th season dropping a 11-7 match at Villa Park on Tuesday, March 1. Jake Michaels went 2-1 in sets dropping his opening set 6-7 to the Spartan’s top player. Benito Romeo and Teague Hamilton each won a set in singles while Laguna’s doubles teams pulled out only three of nine set wins.
Laguna alumnus Peter Davidson, class of ’81, takes over coaching the varsity team for Aaron Talarico, who resigned due to other work commitments after five seasons. Talarico was 55-48 with three league titles and one section finals appearance. Laguna was 9-4 in CIF play under Talarico.
Davidson layed for Art Wahl in 1979-80-81 when Laguna won three straight South Coast League titles and were AAA Division champions in 1980. Coach Davidson is a graduate of Arizona and lives in Laguna with his wife and three children.
Boys Golf (1-1, 1-0)
Andrew Palmer fired a 33 to lead Laguna to a 203-241 victory over Costa Mesa on Monday, March 7, at Aliso Creek in the opening duel match for the 2011 Golden West League play. League golf play for the boys and girls teams are conducted under the Golden West League banner with schools from both the GWL and Orange Coast League participating. The eight schools for boys this season include Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, Estancia, Laguna, Loara, Ocean View, Orange, and Westminster. Estancia and Laguna should battle for the league title.
Boys Volleyball (6-1)
Laguna lost in the finals of the Foothill Tournament, defeated 25-16, 25-22 to Mater Dei in a match played at Beckman High School last Saturday. Breakers were led by Robbie McKnight’s 15 kills.
Earlier in the tournament, Laguna swept their pool matches, defeating Norco 25-19, 25-16, West Valley (Hemet) 25-10, 25-12, and Laguna Hills 27-25, 25-9. In the playoffs, Laguna defeated Foothill 25-18, 25-21, and Fountain Valley 25-21, 20-25, 15-10.
So far this season, McKnight is leading in kills with 5.3 per set with Alek Burk at 4.0 per set as the other go-to hitter. Jack Winn played well at setter with a number of great defensive plays. Colin Ceithaml has recorded eight solo blocks so far this season including four against the Monarchs. Troy Donenfeld is back as Libero already playing like the playoffs. Conner Cooper is playing tough as the defensive specialist and serving threat.
Laguna faced highly regarded Huntington Beach this past Wednesday and Dana Hills today. Next week Laguna travels to San Clemente on Wednesday and participates in the 38th Annual Orange County Championships on Friday and Saturday.
In the lower level teams, the frosh-soph squad finished third at the Newport Harbor tournament, losing to Santa Margarita in the semifinals.
