Baseball: West Ranch is a team to watch

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

A year ago, Valencia West Ranch was eliminated from the Southern Section Division I baseball playoffs by Huntington Beach Edison and standout standout pitcher Henry Owens.

Now the Wildcats are gearing up for a rematch, and they have their own sophomore pitching standout in J.C. Cloney, who struck out 11 in four innings Saturday during a 9-4 win over West Hills Chaminade.

West Ranch (2-0) got a two-run home run from Dakota Hernandez. Nico Rusconi had a double and triple.

San Juan Capistrano JSerra (1-1) got its hitting attack going in an 11-6 win over Santa Ana Foothill. Tyler Krause had a two-run home run, Austin Hedges had a three-run home run and Keaton Siomkin went four for four.

Simi Valley defeated El Camino Real, 9-4. Newhall Hart defeated Thousand Oaks, 3-1, behind the pitching and hitting of Josh Wagner.

Torrance defeated San Pedro, 5-1.St. John Bosco got a complete-game seven-hitter from Koby Gauna and three hits apiece from Ryan Strachan and Taylor Sparks to defeat West Torrance, 7-1. Hueneme defeated Alemany, 3-2. Lancaster defeated Cleveland, 4-3.

-- Eric Sondheimer