1998 IN REVIEW

All signs pointed to a La Quinta victory when the Aztecs met Ocean View in last spring’s Southern Section Division IV championship game. La Quinta had lost only once in 31 games, and was led by catcher Gerald Laird, the county’s top player for the second year in a row. Ocean View had lost 10 times and finished second in the Golden West League.

Pete Montrenes, a senior right-hander, proved the equalizer for Ocean View, holding La Quinta to seven hits while walking none in a 9-3 Seahawk victory. His catcher, Anthony Vega, had three hits and drove in two runs.

In Division I, Esperanza outscored four opponents, 44-15, in rolling to the championship game, where the Aztecs ran into La Crescenta Crescenta Valley. The Falcons won, 7-1, behind the pitching of Jordan Olson and Josh Herman.

Other Division Championships

Division II: Corona 6, Riverside Poly 1

Division III: Covina South Hills 9, Westlake Village Westlake 2

Division V: Temecula Linfield 2, Lake Isabella Kern Valley 1

Division VI: Simi Valley Grace Brethren 3, La Verne Lutheran 1

Top 10

Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll

Final regular season

*--*

Pos School Record 1. La Quinta 26-1 2. Mater Dei 21-4 3. Canyon 21-5 4. Servite 19-6 5. Santa Margarita 20-6 6. Aliso Niguel 20-6 7. Esperanza 17-7 8. Foothill 18-7 9. La Habra 18-8 10. Ocean View 16-10

*--*