Woodbridge, Beckman and Laguna Hills notch Pacific Coast League victories

WOODBRIDGE 11, PORTOLA 4: The Warriors (10-1) remained atop the Pacific Coast League ahead of Beckman and Laguna Hills who are tied for second place.

Dylan Blakey got the victory. Sean McCance had a triple, home run and three RBI. Brandon Abernathy had three hits, a triple, an RBI and a stolen base. Luke DeVries had a hit, two RBI and a stolen base and Jack Bunnell had a triple.

Connor Tallakson, Ryan Kato and Dylan Kim had a hit and an RBI for the Warriors.

“Today was another good offensive performance for our team,” said Woodbridge Coach Ryan Brucker. “I think all of our starters reached base or had a hit so we were really pleased.

“Sean McCance took over the game for us. He got his first start of the year on the mound and did a good job throwing strikes and keeping us in the game. He then came up with a huge play at third in the fifth inning to turn a double play with runners on first and second and no outs to keep the momentum in our favor. He also continues to get better and better with each at bat pacing us offensively. 

“I was also pleased with the production we got from Brandon Abernathy. He’s done an outstanding job rolling the lineup over and getting on base out of the nine-hole. Max Pannier gave us a good outing in relief and coming on in the 6th to get us out of a bases loaded jam.”   

BECKMAN 4, IRVINE 2: Nick McLain was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI triple, and also earned the save facing three batters in the seventh inning to lead Beckman (9-2). Paul Murrow was 2 for 3 with a solo home run. 

“It was a good baseball game,” said Beckman Coach Kevin Lavalle. “Irvine is a very talented team with athletic kids, and I think they’re poised to have a big second half. We just got the big hit when we needed to, and that was the difference.” 

Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota was pleased with the effort of his squad (5-7).

“Today was an example of a great high school baseball game,” Cota said. “Unfortunately, we just came up a couple plays short. We are trending in the right direction and just need to stick with the process.”

Irvine was led by Patrick Hackworth, who was 3 for 4, JC Allen, who was 2 for 4 with two RBI and Tate Zimmerman, who was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. 

“Caden Shaffer threw five innings and gave up three earned runs and really kept us in the game,” Cota said. “Sawyer Spivey threw two innings allowing no runs and striking out two.”

LAGUNA HILLS 12, NORTHWOOD 1: Billy Schellenberg pitched five innings and did not allow an earned run for Laguna Hills. Beau Schweitzer pitched two Innings and did not allowed an earned run.

Jordan Volk was 2 for 3 with four RBI and Zach Ferranto 1 for 1 with four RBI for Laguna Hills.

“Billy and Beau did a great job on the mound for us and we were able to get some big hits with runners in scoring position,” said Laguna Hills Coach Drew Hillman.