University Overpowers Laguna Beach
Adam Horner’s three-run home run in the first inning gave No. 7 University the lead and pitchers Erik Foxman and Jairo Ochoa made sure the Trojans kept it in a 9-1 victory over host Laguna Beach in a Pacific Coast League game Friday.
Foxman (5-1) struck out 10 over five innings and Ochoa struck out four in the final two innings to record his fifth save.
“Today was a team effort,” said University Coach Chris Conlin, whose team won both of its games against the Artists this week. “The kids did a real good job.”
The Trojans (17-4, 8-0) take a commanding lead into the final week of league play, while Laguna Beach (5-11, 4-6) must regroup after committing four errors Friday.
“They came ready to play,” said Artist Coach Mike Schubert, “and we didn’t. We started flat. The first four innings we weren’t ready to play. University is going to stick it to you if you don’t come ready to play.”
The Trojans put up a lot of runs but had only three extra-base hits--doubles by Scott Sagud and Dan Lobue in addition to Horner’s home run. Jay Nichols, one of the county’s leading hitters, went zero for four.
“Their big guys didn’t beat us,” Schubert said, finding a rare positive he could point to.
Laguna Beach starter John Verdugo (4-4), who took the loss, hit a home run in the sixth for the Artists’ only run.
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