ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASEBALL : Freeway League : La Habra Edges Fullerton on Segovia’s RBI in Ninth

When the season began, the consensus was that Fullerton, La Habra and Troy high schools would battle for the top three spots in the Freeway League. On Friday, Fullerton and La Habra proved how close the race is.

An RBI single to right field by La Habra’s Mike Segovia with two out in the ninth inning scored pinch-runner Jaime Hutcherson from third base to give the Highlanders a 3-2 victory at La Habra.

La Habra (4-1, 7-4) remained in a first-place tie with Troy. Fullerton (3-2, 6-4), which dealt Troy its only loss in league Tuesday, is tied for third with Sonora. La Habra’s only league loss was to Troy.

Segovia spoiled an otherwise impressive performance by Stathy Papadatos (0-1), Fullerton’s No. 2 starter. Papadatos pitched 8 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) and 6 hits. He walked 5 and struck out 4.

“If anything good came of this, it was his performance,” said David Torres, Fullerton coach. “It was very encouraging. I was definitely going to leave him in there. It was his game to win or lose.”

La Habra starter Jason Reese (4-1) pitched a complete game and gave up only one earned run. He scattered 9 hits, walked 6 and struck out 11.

Counting two La Habra errors, Fullerton had 17 baserunners. But Reese--and the La Habra defense--battled back at each threat. The Highlanders turned two double plays, including one when Fullerton had the first two runners on in the fifth inning.

In the ninth, Fullerton had the bases loaded with one out, but Brett Reuper struck out for the fourth time and Colin Milligan hit into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

“It was a tough loss, because besides us not getting the clutch hits, we played pretty well,” Torres said. “I just didn’t have my right men up at the right time.”

La Habra Coach Paul Thomas said he expected his team to be in the running for the Freeway League title all along.

“I didn’t have a doubt. I think our talent speaks for itself,” he said. “Reese was outstanding and our team made great defensive plays behind him. Great pitching and great defense: That’s what wins ballgames.”

Troy 24, Sunny Hills 1--Kyle Coburn hit two home runs, including a grand slam, for the Warriors (4-1, 8-2) at Troy. Jeff Ferren, Steve Shirley and Chris Robinson also hit home runs for Troy. Ferren and Robinson each had 5 RBIs.

Sonora 4, Buena Park 3--Brent Smith singled with the bases loaded in the seventh to break a 3-3 tie at Sonora. Kyle Schaetzl hit a two-run home run in the first for the Raiders (3-2, 5-6). Lance Storm (3-2) was the winning pitcher.