Pickel Helps Esperanza Get Around Marina

Esperanza scored two runs in the third inning without a hit and held on to defeat Marina, 2-1, in a Sunset League baseball game Saturday at Esperanza High.

Trailing, 1-0, the Aztecs started a two-out rally when consecutive batters were hit by pitches, both scoring on a dropped fly ball in the outfield.

Jim Pickel (10-2) pitched a three-hitter and struck out three to earn the victory.

Marina’s Justin Lynch gave up only one hit to the Aztecs (12-9, 8-3), but took the loss with two unearned runs.

In nonleague baseball:

Capistrano Valley 9-10, Woodbridge 6-0--Matt Donoho (3-0) and Chad Velts combined on a one-hitter in the second game and Todd Miller had three hits, three runs scored and three stolen bases for the Cougars (18-3).

Mike Clifton tripled, homered and drove in three runs in the first game for third-ranked Capistrano Valley.

In nonleague softball:

Garden Grove 6-2, Tustin 2-0--Gina Huizar was three for three with two runs scored and Cheri Nelson had two hits and a run in the first game for Garden Grove (19-8, 6-3). In the second game, freshman Nuvia Marti (4-3) struck out 16, giving up three hits, for her third shutout of the year.