IRVINE 4, LAGUNA HILLS 3: The Vaqueros (12-10) snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday in a Pacific Coast League game, defeating the second place Hawks (15-5) to help their CIF playoff chances.
“It was another game that came down to the final at bats,” said Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota. “I’m very proud of my guys for showing their resiliency and never backing down. Going against a good team that is battling for first place we knew what we were up against. Coach (Drew) Hillman has developed something special down there and we were happy to get one today.”
JC Allen pitched the first two innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Taylor Skelley pitched the next four innings and got the win. He allowed three runs. Caden Shaffer came on to get the save for Irvine.
Patrick Hackworth was 2 for 3 with an RBI, Kade Zimmerman was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, Tate Zimmerman was 1 for 3 with three RBI, and Jordan Raymond was 1 for 3 with a run scored for Irvine.
WOODBRIDGE 9, UNIVERSITY 5: The league-leading Warriors won their second game of the week against the Trojans. Woodbridge (17-3) was led by Sean McCance who pitched the first five innings to get the victory. He allowed three hits and struck out four.
Nathan Perry had two hits, a double and three RBI, Dylan Blakey had two hits, a double and an RBI, Luke De Vries had a double and a triple and McCance had a triple and an RBI for the Warriors.
PORTOLA 5, NORTHWOOD 4: Portola (3-17) won the Pacific Coast League game on a walk-off bases loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rocky Palacio had the game-winning hit. Dylan Durazo was 3 for 4 and Luke Shen pitched a complete game allowing six hits and striking out eight.
WESTMINSTER 7, GARDEN GROVE 3: The Lions came out and exploded for seven runs in the first inning in the Golden West League game and went on to win to keep their CIF playoff hopes alive. Justin Solis was 3 for 3 to lead the offensive attack. Vincent Pham, Ryan Chastain and Chente Avalos led the attack in the first inning with three straight hits. Fonzie Ramirez pitched 6 1/3 innings to get the victory for the Lions, 4-3 in league.
SONORA 4, FULLERTON 3: Kirk Felikian two-out RBI single in the bottom of the sixth propelled Sonora to the Freeway League victory over Fullerton Wednesday afternoon at Sonora High.
The Raiders (12-2, 18-8) have won nine straight games and clinched the league title. The third-place Indians fell to 13-11 and 8-6.
Trailing 1-0 in the third inning, Jeremy Maldonado blasted a 2-run homer over the left field fence to give Fullerton a 2-1 lead.
The Raiders got RBI singles from AJ Garcia and Felikian in the fourth inning to regain the lead at 3-2.
Fullerton tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth inning when Kyle Kim drilled an RBI double scoring DJ Knight. In the bottom of the sixth, Felikian’s RBI single to center scored pinch runner Morgan McCall from second to give the Raiders a 4-3 advantage.
Juan Mendoza came on in relief of Sonora’s starter Jesse Martinez in the sixth inning and earned the win.
This season is the 38th time Sonora has advanced to the CIF baseball playoffs since the school’s inception in 1966. The Raiders only losses this season in league was to Troy and La Habra. Fullerton and Sonora play each other on Friday afternoon at Fullerton to wrap up the regular season.
—Courtesy Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
VILLA PARK 4, FOOTHILL 3: Isaac Ontiveros (8-1) got the victory and Matthew Meagher picked up the save in the Crestview League showdown.. Gavin Grahovac was 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI, Aaron Perez was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Brandon Luu was 1 for 2 with an RBI to lead Villa Park (20-4, 3-0).
Foothill (20-4, 3-1) was led by Brady Ashworth who was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI and Austin Overn who was 1 for 3 with a stolen base.
LA HABRA 5, SUNNY HILLS 2: The Highlanders (17-9, 10-4) captured their eighth straight win. Josh Castillo pitched six strong innings, striking out eight for his eighth win of the year. Matt Flores led the offense, going 3 for 4 with three runs scored and two stolen bases, Nolan Inman notched the savewith two strikouts.
TESORO 5, DANA HILLS 1: Chris Carter threw a complete game, striking out seven. Carter Joissen was 1 for 3 with two RBI, Brandon Woolley had two RBI for the Titans (13-12, 5-3).
TRABUCO HILLS 3, SAN JUAN HILLS 0: The Mustangs (17-7, 7-2) got a strong pitching performance from Mason Molina and Jordan Brown, who combined on a shutout.
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