PREP BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Patton Steps Up, Leads Capistrano Valley

Scott Patton’s future at Capistrano Valley High School may be as a quarterback. But it looks like he’s headed for success on the baseball diamond too.

Patton, a sophomore right-hander who usually pitches for the junior varsity team, enjoyed a brief stay on the varsity mound Thursday, throwing a seven-hitter and leading Capistrano Valley to a 9-1 victory over Fountain Valley in the Far West Tournament at Brookhurst Park. The victory gave Capistrano Valley a third-place finish in the tournament, won by Miami Westminster Christian, 5-0, over Miami Southridge.

Patton, making his first varsity pitching start, had a shutout until the seventh, when Capistrano Valley right fielder Jonathan Petke lost a fly ball in the sun, allowing Fountain Valley’s Adam Weemer to score.

Capistrano Valley (9-7-1) finished third by winning three games against some top competition. Coach Bob Zamora said Patton started because his pitching staff needed help after playing four games in six days.

“We’re a very tired lot right now, but I’m very pleased with the way we played in the tournament,” Zamora said. Chris Lugo led Capistrano Valley with three hits and scored two runs Thursday. Teammate David Guillen broke the game open in the seventh, when he hit a three-run triple for an 8-0 lead.

Fountain Valley (7-11) had good pitching until the seventh, but the Barons struggled offensively.

Patton said he had problems controlling his curveball but effectively changed speeds on his fastball.

“I struggled a little at the start, but I felt strong at the end,” Patton said.

Zamora said Patton was to to pitch in the championship game of the Pacifica junior varsity tournament on Wednesday, but he moved him up to add pitching depth.

“Scott is a competitor who did a good job today,” Zamora said. “He’s going back down to the JVs next week, but I don’t think you’ve seen the last of him.”

In another Far West tournament game:

La Quinta 18, San Francisco Sacred Heart 3--Jason Cherms had four hits and four runs batted in to lead La Quinta (13-6) in a consolation game at El Dorado. John Korzon pitched five shutout innings for the victory. Korzon (4-1) allowed only two hits and struck out four. Walter Dawkins had three hits, including a solo home run, and scored three runs for La Quinta.

In a nonleague baseball game:

Katella 2, Magnolia 1--Danny Allen (4-3) gave up three hits and struck out six for the victory at Boysen Park. Katella scored two runs in the seventh inning to rally from a 1-0 deficit. Tim Readman singled in the winning run, and Katella (11-4, 4-3) scored its first run off of a double by Eric Boyd.