Nathan Valencia throws a 1-hitter to lead Irvine past University in critical PCL game

Irvine‘s Nathan Valencia, shown pitching in a game earlier this season, threw a 1-hitter Thursday against Uni. (Photo courtesy Irvine baseball).

Irvine High School’s baseball team, behind a strong pitching performance by junior Nathan Valencia, defeated University 6-1 Thursday in the final match-up of the three game Pacific Coast League series at University.

Irvine, which defeated University 3-2 in 11 innings on Wednesday, took two of three games from Uni. In Wednesday’s game, his younger brother Adam Valencia got the victory in relief.

Nathan Valencia pitched a complete game Thursday and allowed only a double by Luke Weston in the first inning as the Vaqueros (10-13-1, 8-8-1) remained in fourth place, a half game ahead of Laguna Hills (14-8, 8-8).

Valencia, who had three strikeouts, was also 1 for 2 with a double.

“Nate Valencia was outstanding on the mound for us,” Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota said. “He gave up a hit and an unearned run in the first inning and didn’t give up another base runner the rest of the game. The defense was solid behind him.”

Valencia had plenty of offensive support.

“Offensively the bats came alive today,” Cota said. “We had nine hits and some timely hitting.”

Nathan Sasaki was 1 for 3 with a double, walk and two RBI; Joshua Gutierrez was 1 for 3 with a double and two RBI; Ian Hew was 1 for 3 with a triple and a walk; Adam Valencia was 2 for 4 with an RBI; Joey Ricci was 1 for 3 and Colin Kudell was 1 for 2 with an RBI and Zach Rodriguez was 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.

Michael Dougherty started on the mound for University.

Irvine improved its CIF playoff chances since four teams are guaranteed berths. But the Vaqueros will likely need a strong finish in the final two weeks to advance and the playoff picture is a bit complicated, because some teams have more games remaining than others because of rainouts.

“The league is extremely tight all the way around,” Cota said. “With rainouts and rescheduling there are games being played almost every day. We continue to give ourselves a shot by winning. We control our own destiny which is great at this time of the year.

University Coach Wes Shaw said after Wednesday’s game his team (9-11-1, 4-9-1) will continue to battle for the playoffs. Teams can apply for at-large berths with .500 records if they don’t finish in the top four of their leagues.

“We are very much aware of our situation,” Shaw said after the loss Thursday.

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