Breakers finish regular season strong
Having rose to the occasion last week in a two-game showdown that determined the Orange Coast League baseball champion, the Laguna Beach Breakers took the third and final step in their 2016 season when they played their opening game Thursday in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs.
The Breakers hosted the Savanna, the third-place team from the Orange League, in a first-round matchup. The score wasn’t available at press time.
The Rebels (14-14-1) advanced to the first round by defeating Carpinteria (Tri-Valley League No. 3) in a wild-card game Tuesday, 1-0.
It was the first meeting of the season between the Breakers and Rebels. The winner advances to a second-round game at 3:15 p.m. next Tuesday against the winner of the Thursday first-round game between top-seeded Chino Don Lugo (Mt. Baldy League champion) and Riverside Patriot (River Valley League No. 3).
The division quarterfinals are May 27.
Laguna Coach Mike Bair said regardless of the opponent, his team has a singular vision.
“We aren’t concerned with the matchups or team rankings,” he said. “In a single-elimination tournament, you have to win innings, slow the game down, and execute. We aim to beat the game and not worry about the opponent.”
The Breakers entered the postseason with an overall record of 15-12. They defeated Calvary Chapel twice last week to again claim the Orange Coast League championship, and finished their league season 13-2.
The Breakers have received contributions from throughout their lineup. Among the leaders on offense are junior infielder Dante Faicchio (.366 avg., 15 RBIs, 20 runs, nine stolen bases), junior infielder Dustin Angus (.362 avg., 13 RBIs, 14 runs, six stolen bases), senior catcher Will McInerny (.348 avg., 17 RBIs, 15 runs), and senior infielder Connor Basile (.393 avg., 12 RBIs, 19 runs).
Their leaders on the mound have been sophomore Blake Burzell (5-5, 2.41 ERA, 52 strikeouts), junior Ashton Goddard (3-2, 2.16 ERA, 33 strikeouts), and sophomore Jack Loechner (5-3, 2.45 ERA, 36 strikeouts).
Bair said the Breakers were ready for the final stretch of its season.
“We are prepared, excited and confident,” he said. “We have faith in each other and believe we can win a championship.”
Laguna capped its league championship season May 12 by edging Calvary Chapel, 1-0. Senior Jack Simon scored the winning run, Faicchio, who had two hits and walked, had the game-winning RBI, and Angus, McInerny, Basile, Connor Coscino and Zak Kovacic each had a hit.
The pitching win went to senior John Ogden who improved to 2-0.
“Offensively, it was a frustrating game,” Bair said. “We could not string anything together but fortunately, our pitching and defense was spectacular and gave us a chance to win.”
The victory over Calvary Chapel, which was battling Laguna for the league title in the final week of the regular season, allowed the Breakers to sweep the Eagles (3-0) in league play.
They previously defeated the Eagles, 6-0 and 4-3.
“Our seniors really understand the importance of winning league and beating our rivals,” Bair said. “They rose to the occasion and everyone else followed and contributed. It was a great week and created strong momentum for the CIF playoffs.
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Twitter: @MikeSciacca
