Irvine notches key home victory over Laguna Beach, remains in PCL title chase

Irvine coaches meet with the Vaqueros after a victory over Woodbridge earlier this season. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Irvine’s baseball team moved into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Coast League and kept its hopes alive for a league championship with a 6-0 victory over Laguna Beach Wednesday at Irvine.

The Vaqueros (13-12, 10-3) are one game behind league leading Woodbridge (15-10, 11-2) with one league game left. Irvine plays at Laguna Beach (16-9, 9-4) and Woodbridge is at Sage Hill on Friday. Irvine needs to win Friday and Sage Hill needs to defeat Woodbridge in order for Irvine and Woodbridge to share the crown.

Irvine has the advantage over Woodbridge in terms of the league series after winning both games.

“I’m not sure if we end up tied if we’d be co-league champs or outright,” said Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota. “Either way to be playing meaningful games the last week of league is a blessing. We’ll take it in stride and get ourselves ready for the playoffs.”

The Vaqueros got a strong performance from Roshan Patel Wednesday. 

“Roshan Patel was great for us on the mound against a quality team,” Cota said. “He threw a complete game shut out, allowing only one hit. He has been amazing all year on the bump, couple that with playing solid defense behind him gives us a shot every game.” 

Irvine was led offensively by Owen Song, who was 2 for 2 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI; Jack Dressendorfer, who was 2 for 4 with two runs scored; Patel, who was 1 for 3 with two RBI; Smith Spivey, who was 1 for 2, with a run scored and an RBI; and Nico Macalino who was 1 for 3 with an RBI.

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