University Wins 11-6 to Take Sea View Title

University High School scored nine runs in the second inning Thursday on its way to an 11-6 win over Laguna Beach and the Sea View League championship.

The Trojans’ victory in Laguna Beach, coupled with Corona del Mar’s 7-2 win over Estancia, gave University its second straight league title.

Laguna Beach (8-6, 12-8) had entered the final game in a third-place tie with Estancia, but the Artists finished in fourth place and out of the playoff picture, thanks to the Eagles’ 15-5 win over Woodbridge Thursday night.

Laguna Beach gained a 2-0 first-inning lead, but the Trojans tied the score, 2-2, in the second.

University put the game out of the reach in the third sending 13 hitters to the plate.

University (10-4, 12-9) loaded the bases twice and Artist starter Todd Fortune walked in two runs. Bart Silberman’s bases-loaded single to left field of reliever Danny Lane scored two more runs.

“This is a tough ballpark to play in,” said first-year Trojan Coach Chris Conlin. “You need a lot of runs to win, and that’s exactly what we got.”

Laguna Beach scored four runs on five hits in the third off Trojan pitcher Darrell Sawicki.

In the bottom of the fourth, after only three pitches, Colin brought in sophomore Scott McCorgary, who had been brought up from the junior varsity team this week.

McCorgary worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth and sailed through the next three innings, allowing just one hit.

“He really came through today with all the added pressure,” Conlin said. “It was definitely a stellar performance on his part.”

University was led by Casey Simpson, who was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Gary Scott and Lane homered for Laguna Beach.

In other league action:

Estancia 15, Woodbridge 5--The Eagles clinched third place and the final playoff spot by defeating the Warriors at Alton Park in Irvine. Conrad Colby had four hits and scored four runs, and Eric Mawrey had three doubles for the Eagles (9-5, 11-12).

Pat Norville allowed four hits and struck out seven in six innings to record the pitching win. Woodbridge closes at 4-10, 8-14.

In nonleague action:

St. Margaret’s 11, Liberty Christian 4--Mark Flather went 4 for 4 with five RBIs, and Scott Christie went 3 for 4 with three RBIs to lead the Tartans past the Minutemen at Liberty Christian High. St. Margaret’s, which closed the regular season with a 10-8 record, will be going to the Southern Section Small Schools playoffs as the third-place team out of the Collegiate League.