Crean Lutheran, Cypress and Fullerton baseball teams capture victories

CREAN LUTHERAN 4, VALENCIA 1: Crean Lutheran High School’s baseball team opened Empire League play Monday with a victory on the road.

The Saints (12-5, 1-0) were led by senior pitcher George Manera who struck out five and allowed no earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Sophomore Tate Fitzgerald got the save for Crean Lutheran.

Brad Cooper was 1 for 2 with an RBI and a stolen base, Mark Fedro was 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI and Michael Panichi was 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base. Crean Lutheran outhit Valencia 7-6.

Coach Jake Haney’s Crean Lutheran team is ranked sixth in this week’s CIF Division 5 poll.

In another Empire League game, Cypress defeated Kennedy 10-0.

FULLERTON 5, BUENA PARK 0: The Indians (8-5) were led by George Papadatos, who got the victory allowing two hits and striking out eight in six innings. Jeremy Maldano had a big pinch-hit double for Fullerton.