Irvine pitcher Joon Lee hurls a no-hitter in PCL baseball victory over Laguna Hills

Joon Lee threw a no-hitter Saturday vs. Laguna Hills. (Photos courtesy Irvine High School Baseball).

Irvine High School senior Joon Lee threw a no-hitter Saturday afternoon as the Vaquero baseball team defeated Laguna Hills 2-0 in a Pacific Coast League game at Irvine, according to Vaquero Coach Gabriel Cota.

“Joon pitched a complete game no hitter on 75 pitches,” Cota said Monday. “He had seven strikeouts and faced two over the minimum. One batter reached on a hit by pitch and another reached on an error (when an infielder threw the ball over the first baseman).”

Lee was an outstanding pitcher last year and has continued his solid pitching this season.

“Joon is one of the hardest workers I have been around,” Cota said. “He has had constant setbacks throughout his time at Irvine, but never gave up hope that he would reach his full potential.

“Last year, as a junior, Joon really stepped up and led our team in almost every pitching category (wins, innings, strikeouts and ERA). This year was the first off-season where Joon was healthy and worked his tail off to get himself ready for this season. He has been nothing short of dominant this year in his three outings (two wins, one no decision), 26 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings, .375 ERA and a .097 batting average against).

“He is an absolute leader for our team and gives us a chance in every game that he pitches in. We are excited to see what the rest of the year, and the future, holds for Joon.”

Joey Ricci led Irvine (3-3, 2-2) offensively going 1 for 2 with an RBI. Nathan Valencia and Ian Hew each scored runs. Adam Valencia had the other RBI for Irvine.

(Click on photo for best view)

Joon Lee of Irvine (sixth from left) with the other Vaquero seniors before the season.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com