Woodbridge takes over undisputed first place with 8-4 PCL victory over Laguna Hills

Lucky Ramanathan got the victory for Woodbridge in relief Thursday. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Woodbridge High’s baseball team combined clutch hitting, excellent base running and some solid relief pitching to defeat Laguna Hills 8-4 in a battle for first place in the Pacific Coast League Thursday afternoon at Ryan Lemmon Stadium.

The two teams came into the game tied for first place. Woodbridge (7-1) moved into the top spot alone but close behind are Laguna Hills and Beckman, both 6-2. League teams are playing a 24-game schedule.

“Laguna Hills set the pace and played really, really well to start off league,” said Woodbridge Coach Ryan Brucker. “We knew we would have to play a pretty good game, almost a perfect game to be able to beat them so I was real happy with the way we competed today.”

Woodbridge, which lost to Laguna Hills 3-2 on March 20, won its sixth in a row.

It was the second straight loss for Laguna Hills, which jumped out of the gates in its PCL debut winning its first six games.

“I think both teams came out ready to go in a battle of two first place teams,” said Hawks Coach Drew Hillman. “They executed and came up with some big hits and we didn’t and that was kind of the story of the game. We see them two more times and it’s going to be exciting on the next go-around when we get these guys again.”

The game was tied 4-4 going into the bottom of the fifth inning. Jack Bunnell singled to lead off, was sacrificed to second by Connor Tallakson and scored on an RBI single by Ryan Kato to put the Warriors ahead by one.

Lucky Ramanathan, who came on to with two outs in the bottom of the third inning in relief of starter Dylan Blakey, then finished strong, allowing one run the rest of the way. Ramanathan (2-1) struck out seven and allowed five hits.

“Blakey came out and gave us a good effort, he just didn’t quite have it today and Lucky came out and battled for us,” Brucker said.

“It’s huge, I’m just here to make sure my team wins and do whatever it takes, that’s all I got to do,” said Ramanathan.

Woodbridge stole eight bases. Laguna Hills out-hit Woodbridge 9-8.

“I liked our aggressiveness on the bases and our offensive approach today,” Brucker added.

Woodbridge took the early lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Tallakson and a sacrifice fly by Kato.

The Warriors pushed across an unearned run in the second inning when Brandon Abernathy reached on an error, stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch. Abernathy had four stolen bases on the day.

But Laguna Hills battled back with three runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game. Travis WIlliams and Jordan Volk had RBI singles.

In the bottom of the third inning, Woodbridge regained the lead with a run. Bunnell singled and came around to score on a wild pitch.

But in the top of the fourth. Laguna Hills showed its resiliencey again, tying the game 4-4. Tyler Eisenberg singled and came around to score on a bases loaded walk to Billy Schellenberg.

Woodbridge was able to finish strong however, adding three insurance runs in the sixth. Sean McCance had an RBI single, Luke DeVries delivered an RBI double and Tallakson executed a perfect squeeze for the third run.

Mike Burke pitched the first five innings for Laguna Hills.

“He was all right, I think he can be better too,” Hillman said. “He got behind in some counts early, but he gave us a chance to win and he competed for us and that’s all we can ask for.”

McCance had three hits and three stolen bases and Bunnell two hits for Woodbridge.

Scotty Kato and Volk had two hits each for Laguna Hills.

It appeared less than 100 fans were on hand for the game with mainly family members and friends attending. Following the latest safety protocols, players from the two teams did not shake hands after the game and there were no concessions sold. In addition, coaches wore masks throughout the contest as did most fans.

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