Esperanza’s Saunders Leads Area Team Into Championship of State Baseball Series

Doug Saunders of Esperanza High School was 2 for 4 with two RBIs to lead the 714/619 area code team to a 4-0 victory over the 805 team Saturday in the first California State Baseball Games on Zupo Field in Lodi.

The 714/619 team finished the round-robin part of the tournament with a 4-1 record and will play the 213 team at 1 p.m. today for the championship. The 714/619 team defeated the 213 team, 3-1, Thursday.

Andy Croghan (2-0) of Servite pitched four innings and Mike Wilson of La Quinta the final three for the 714/619 team. Larry Sutton of Mater Dei singled to drive in a run.

Saunders, who is hitting .500 in the tournament, and Al Rodriguez of Westminster were 3 for 3 as the 714/619 team defeated the 209 team, 7-3, late Friday night. Chris Robinson (1-0) of Troy didn’t allow a run in the first five innings to earn the victory.