Cypress Beats Magnolia for Title

Cypress has been a bit of a surprise even to itself, with a 13-3 record and a half-game lead in the Empire League.

But there might not be any surprises left after Cypress defeated Magnolia, 4-2, Wednesday in the championship game of the West Anaheim Lions baseball tournament. It was the Centurions’ first title in a baseball tournament in school history.

“We’re playing at a high level of confidence right now, which we hope to take back into league,” Centurion Coach Mark Steinert said. “Lately we’ve been getting all the breaks; but we’re also clicking on all cylinders--hitting, pitching and defense.”

Magnolia (9-3) managed only four hits off Cypress starter Ryan Dinley (3-0) and reliever Phillip Seibel, who struck out six of the seven batters he faced.

Bobby Brito--who had 10 hits in 13 tournament at-bats and 11 runs batted in--got Cypress started with a two-run homer off Magnolia starter Rich Michaelson (2-1) in the bottom of the first. It was Brito’s eighth home run.

Brito has 25 career homers, moving into second place on the county’s all-time list behind Fullerton’s Keith Ginter (28).

J.R. Johnson added an RBI double, and the Centurions led, 3-0.

Brito gave Magnolia a run back in the second with two passed balls--the first coming on what should have been James Penner’s third strike, the other coming with two out and Penner on third.

The Sentinels crept closer in the fourth. Joe Camarillo reached on an error, was sacrificed to second, stole third and scored on Michaelson’s groundout.

But an error by Magnolia second baseman Justin Reding scored Matt Shelton--who had three hits--in the fifth to give Cypress its 4-2 edge.

In other tournament games:

El Modena 8, Anaheim 7--Cesar Vasquez, who had two hits and three RBIs, hit a two-run homer to highlight a four-run sixth to help El Modena (3-12) rally and end a nine-game losing streak.

Loara 11, Paramount 3--Jim Kirkland had two doubles and five RBIs for Loara (9-6) in the consolation game.

In the Freeway League:

Buena Park 3, La Habra 2--Brent Andrews pitched a complete game, giving up no earned runs and striking out five for host Buena Park (7-7-1, 2-3-1).

Sonora 7, Sunny Hills 1--Eric Bondurant went three for four with an RBI double for Sonora (10-1-1, 5-1).

In the South Coast League:

Mater Dei 11, Dana Hills 5--After hitting eight home runs in a victory over Dana Hills Tuesday, Mater Dei hit four home runs Wednesday, paced by Mike Kolbach’s two two-run homers and Mike Hessman’s sixth home run.

The Monarchs (11-1, 7-0), ranked No. 1 in Orange County and second in Division I, have 22 home runs this season. The school record is 27.

Ryan Blackmun hit his fourth home run and Hessman had three hits for Mater Dei. Kolbach also pitched six innings to earn his fourth victory.

In the Sunset League:

Fountain Valley 21, Marina 4--Kevin Burford had two home runs and four RBIs and Chris Fusillo had four hits, scored four runs and drove in three for second-ranked Fountain Valley (10-3, 5-1).

In the Las Vegas Durango tournament:

Tucson (Ariz.) 5, Canyon 4--The Comanches (13-2) scored four runs in the third inning to take a three-run lead, but Tucson answered with four in the sixth in the championship game.

In the Santa Ana Elks tournament:

Katella 3, Cerritos Valley Christian 1--Drake Gustafson hit a three-run home run in the second inning and Joe Fraser (5-1) threw a two-hitter, striking out five and walking none in the championship game for Katella (12-4).

Santa Ana Valley 3, Saddleback 1--Rick Chavez gave up only five hits in the complete game for the Falcons (6-9) in the consolation final at Villa Park High.

Villa Park 10, Brea Olinda 9--Jeff Linder squeezed home Brandon Carter with one out in the top of the seventh for the winning run. Carter walked and stole second and third to set up the run. The Spartans (7-7-1) had 11 steals.