HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS : Caso Hits Homer to Lead Capistrano Valley Victory

Capistrano Valley senior catcher Brand Caso’s seventh home run of the season, a two-run blast to center field Saturday at Anaheim Stadium, lifted the Cougars to an 8-3 victory over Anaheim Canyon in the Southern Section 4-A Division championship.

With his team leading, 2-0, in the first inning, Caso’s shot traveled more than 390 feet.

“When I was rounding third base, my coach told me to remember this for the rest of my life,” Caso said.

The home run put Capistrano Valley ahead, 4-0.

The Cougars (20-11-1) are undefeated in championship games, having won 2-A titles in 1983 and ’87. Canyon (18-10-1) won the 3-A championship in 1984.

Unseeded Capistrano Valley was led by the solid pitching of Scott Patton and Chris Lugo. Patton, a junior starter, gave up five hits and three runs in four innings to pick up the victory and finish the season with a 7-4 record. Lugo pitched three scoreless innings of relief.

Chris Adams had two hits, scored one run and had three runs batted in for Capistrano Valley.

5-A DIVISION

Long Beach Millikan 8, Huntington Beach Edison 2--Greg Negrete and Jason Manack were both two for three with two RBIs for Millikan, which won its fourth section title.

Brian Keller (7-1) pitched a three-hitter for Millikan (24-6), which won titles in 1967, 1969 and 1983.

Manack’s two-run double sparked a four-run fourth inning as Millikan broke a 2-2 tie. The Rams tagged three Edison (17-13) pitchers for 13 hits.

Millikan’s Dante Powell was two for two, scored two runs and stole two bases. Pat Thacker was three for four with an RBI triple.

3-A DIVISION

Ontario 9, La Mirada 2--The Jaguars took a 7-0 lead in the second inning and cruised to victory.

Ontario, making its first championship appearance, finished with a 26-0 record. La Mirada, the 1988 3-A titlist, went 21-6-2.

Senior Mike Hernandez pitched a complete game for the Jaguars, yielding six hits and striking out five to finish the season with a 10-0 record.

The Matadores used three pitchers, with starter Dan Arreguin (7-5) taking the loss.

2-A DIVISION

Yucaipa 6, Norte Vista 2--The Thunderbirds broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the fourth inning on their way to victory.

Norte Vista starting pitcher Brian Edmondson gave up six of his eight hits in the pivotal fourth inning, to finish the season 12-2.

Yucaipa starting pitcher Tyrone Hill gave up seven hits and one run in six innings to pick up the victory and improve his record to 11-1.

Sean Arend paced the Thunderbirds with two hits and two RBIs.

Yucaipa finished the season 22-9 and Norte Vista 23-4.