Segerstrom’s Zander Bretza showcases his home run hitting skills to take first place

Home run hitting champion Zander Bretza of Segerstrom (left) with second place finisher Evan Chadwick and Dick Owens of the Ryan Lemmon Foundation. In the background is Guy Lemmon, president of the foundation who did the announcing for the contest. (Photos; OC Sports Zone, TIm Burt).

Segerstrom High School’s Zander Bretza helped the Golden West League team defeat the Freeway League Friday, then capped the day by winning the home run hitting contest at the Ryan Lemmon Senior Showcase.

Evan Chadwick of Kennedy took second place.

To see additional photos, click on the first photo:

Zander Bretza gets ready to take a swing Friday in the home run hitting contest.

Zander Bretza of Segerstrom (left) with Jaguars Coach Erasmo Ramirez.

Evan Chadwick of Kennedy took second place.

Guy Lemmon of the Ryan Lemmon Foundation gives instuctions to home run contestants, including Zander Bretza (right), Abel Castrejon (No. 9) of Tustin, Evan Chadwick of Kennedy (front) and Myles Johnson of Katella (back).

“It felt awesome to square up some balls and it was pretty cool, we got a Chipotle gift card too,” said Bretza, who has earned a scholarship for UNLV. “Being selected for the Senior Showcase was an honor.”

Bretza, cheered on by Coach Erasmo Ramirez and family and friends, said he will also remember the game and ending it on the mound with a “backwards K.”

Bretza was cheered on by his father John Bretza, a former Irvine High standout who did not play in the game because the event had not started yet.

Another home run hitting contest is planned Saturday around 3:25 p.m.

For more information on the showcase, click here:

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