Laird Hits Three Homers in La Quinta Victory

Gerald Laird hit three home runs and had four RBIs as second-seeded La Quinta defeated Big Bear, 12-4, in the first round of the Division IV baseball playoffs Friday at La Quinta. The Aztecs play Beaumont in the second round.

It was the second time this season that Laird, who has 13 home runs this season, hit three in one game.

Starting pitcher Jason Garcia had two hits and improved his record to 11-1.

In other Division IV games:

Bolsa Grande 4, Playa del Rey St. Bernard 3--Jack Kusuda hit a line drive off the pitcher’s knee with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, to drive in Sam Baeder from second base with the game-winning run. Baeder was three for four. Bolsa Grande’s Gus De Leon went the distance, giving up six hits, striking out five and walking none. Bolsa Grande will play West Covina South Hills in the second round.

Magnolia 10, La Puente Bassett 3--Joe Camarill was three for four with a double, an RBI, a stolen base, and two runs scored for Magnolia (21-2-1).

Brian Morris belted his third homer of the season with one on in the bottom of the first for Magnolia.

Justin Reding was two for two with two RBIs and scored twice for Magnolia.

In Division II:

El Dorado 6, Villa Park 4--Brandon Downing was two for three with a double and an RBI for El Dorado (23-4), which will play La Mirada in the second round.

Marina 8, Cypress 2--Jason Stewart held Cypress (15-9-2) to two runs on eight hits and struck out seven for Marina (17-10).

Eric Archer was two for four with an RBI and a run scored for Marina.

In Division V:

Calvary Chapel 1, Chino Hills Boys Republic 0--Randy Blood scored the game’s only run on a bases-loaded walk for Calvary Chapel (15-10). John Tucker threw a three-hitter with nine strikeouts and a walk for the Eagles, who play Woodcrest Christian in the second round.

In Division VI:

La Verne Lutheran 15, Huntington Beach 2--Steve Frantz was two for four with two RBIs for Huntington Beach (15-4), which scored 10 runs in the first, six of which were unearned.