EMPIRE LEAGUE BASEBALL : El Dorado Bounces Back Behind Flores’ Pitching, Knocks Off Katella

Benito Flores helped El Dorado strengthen its hold on first place in the Empire League, holding Katella to four hits in a 3-2 victory Friday at El Dorado High School.

Flores (6-1), a left-hander, gave up a two-run home run to Leo Garcia in the second inning, but struck out eight and walked four, as El Dorado rebounded from a 12-11 loss Wednesday to Katella.

“Flores got his curve over and his changeup over,” El Dorado Coach Steve Gullotti said. “We played good defense behind him and he battled and did a terrific job. He was a real bulldog out there and rose to the occasion.”

Flores scored the first run for El Dorado (12-6, 6-1 in league) after he reached on an infield hit. A walk to Chris Remala and a single to center by Jeff Moore loaded the bases, and Flores came home on Jim Beck’s long sacrifice fly to center.

Katella (12-6, 3-4) took a temporary lead on Garcia’s home run, his first of the season. But the Golden Hawks took advantage of Katella starter George Schalip’s control problems in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good.

Graham Clemons and Spencer Frost walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Chad Peters hit a roller up the middle that slid under Knight shortstop Jesse Santivanez’s glove for an error, allowing Clemons and Frost to score what proved to be the decisive runs.