Irvine scores four runs in eighth inning and defeats Northwood 5-1 in PCL game

Nathan Sasaki of Irvine gets ready at the plate in a game earlier this season. (File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Irvine High School’s baseball team exploded for four runs in the top of the eighth inning Monday and went on to capture a 5-1 Pacific Coast League extra inning victory over Northwood, handing the Timberwolves only their second league loss this season.

“Nathan Valencia was great on the mound in his first varsity start,” said Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota.

Valencia pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits and one earned run in the game at Northwood. His younger brother Adam Valencia came on in the eighth inning to record the save.

“Zach Rodriguez and Drake Brito were great for us defensively in center and at shortstop respectively,” Cota added.

Nathan Sasaki led Irvine (5-8-1, 4-7-1) offensively going 2 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI. Ian Hew was 2 for 4 with a double and Colin Kudell came off the bench and blasted a key two-RBI double in the eighth, Cota said.

Northwood (10-3, 9-2) was led offensively by Joseph Harper, who was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Spencer Collins-Williams threw four innings, allowing two hits. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.

“I thought both teams played very well but Irvine was better,” said Northwood Coach Doug Euper. “Their pitcher was great and their defense was outstanding.”

The two teams are scheduled to play a make-up doubleheader Friday with the first game at 1 p.m. and the second game at 3:30 p.m. Both schools will be on a minumum day schedule since it’s the last day before spring break, Cota said.

Finals

Beckman 2, Laguna Hills 0

Portola 10, University 8