Softball team wins big after break
It had been quite awhile, 17 days, to be exact, since the Laguna Beach softball team last saw game action.
The last time the Breakers stepped on a diamond for competition, they played a nonleague doubleheader March 23 at JSerra. On Tuesday, they got back into action and, despite the long break, came up with a big win.
Laguna launched its Orange Coast League schedule Tuesday against Saddleback and needed just five innings to turn back the visiting Roadrunners at Thurston Middle School. The Breakers came up with eight hits off two pitchers and parlayed those hits with several walks, to produce a 21-0 victory.
“It felt great to get out there and play again, and the girls played pretty well,” Laguna Coach Victoria Batistelli said. “We had some big hits, but they walked quite a few batters, and the game got out of hand.”
The Roadrunners allowed 12 walks, and Laguna (4-10 overall), took advantage of the free passes. Offensively, Halle Redfearn went three for three with a triple and double and drew a walk, Katyn Ott tripled and doubled, Jen Sorenson singled twice and walked twice, and Haley Putnam had a two-run double and walked twice.
Putnam also got the pitching win. The senior surrendered only one hit and struck out 12.
“She really did a fantastic job,” Batistelli said of Putnam. “She really worked on her pitches over the break and she placed them well.
“I gave the girls a break over spring break, and they came back this week ready to go. It was a good start to league play, and a nice way to set up big games we have coming up.”
Laguna took on Estancia Thursday but the score wasn’t available at press time. Monday, the Breakers play host to defending league champion Calvary Chapel at 4 p.m. at Thurston Middle School.
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Baseball
Fresh off a 5-0 run at the Anaheim Lions Tournament, the Breakers continued their drive toward a possible Orange Coast League title Tuesday by defeating Estancia, 7-3.
Senior Kurt Rebone remained undefeated on the season (6-0) and the Breakers stayed perfect (6-0) in league play by defeating the Eagles (3-3 league) for the second time this year. Rebone allowed five runs and a hit and struck out three in six innings. Senior Cole Millerd pitched the seventh.
Larry Stewart went two for three with a home run and three runs batted in, Steven Harrison went two for three with a home run and two RBIs, and Richie Nunis and Grant Wilhelm each also went two for three for Laguna.
“Rebone pitched very well, as we expect from him, and we had great hitting performances from Larry Stewart and Steven Harrison,” Laguna Coach Mike Bair said. “We played tough defense and had timely hits.”
Laguna, now 16-2 overall and riding a 12-game win streak, will try to complete a three-game league series sweep of the Eagles when they travel for a 3:15 p.m. game Friday at Estancia. Bair said that Jackson Rees (6-0) will draw the starting assignment.
The Breakers scored an 8-0 win at Estancia in the first series game between the teams on March 19.
“Estancia is tough but our team believes we can sweep if we play 21 outs and fight for 90 feet,” Bair said. “It will be a dogfight to try to win at Estancia Friday.”
Next week, the Breakers twice play Saddleback starting with a 3:15 p.m. away game Tuesday.
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CIF Weekly Rankings (week of April 8)
Baseball: Laguna Beach (No. 5, Division 4).
Twitter: @MikeSciacca