PREP BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Home Runs Get Mater Dei Off to Fast Start

Lionel Hastings and Jim Betzsold hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and Mater Dei High School defeated St. Paul, 7-0, in an Angelus League baseball game Wednesday at Mater Dei.

Sean Sutton (2-1) allowed two hits and struck out five before being replaced by Colin Gawronski after six innings. Mater Dei is 8-2 overall, 2-0 in the league.

In the Freeway League:

La Habra 6, Sonora 3--Lance Bakke and Jason Johnson each singled in two runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie for host La Habra (2-6, 1-1).

In the Empire League:

Esperanza 10, Cypress 5--Reid Pullen and Dan Redington each had three hits and Esperanza (6-2, 2-0) had five two-run innings at Cypress.

Loara 8, El Dorado 4--Charlie Gipson’s run-scoring single tied the score, 4-4, and sparked a four-run sixth-inning rally for Loara.

In the Sea View League:

Estancia 8, University 0--Paul McDaniels had two hits--including a two-run home run in the first inning--and Jeff DeSandro had a two-run triple and a bases-empty home run for Estancia (5-3, 1-1).

Corona del Mar 7, Saddleback 1--Rees Thorkelson (2-1) pitched a complete game, striking out seven, walking one and allowing six hits to lead host Corona del Mar (3-4, 1-1).

Tustin 9, Newport 4--Ryan Relph had three hits and two runs batted in and Ben Munoz had two doubles and two RBIs for Tustin (7-1, 2-0). Dan Baker was the winning pitcher.

In the Orange League:

Valencia 6, Savanna 5--Savanna tied the score, 5-5, in the top of the seventh, but Valencia (5-2, 1-1) won when Tito Reyes doubled home Justin Jimenez with one out.