Whiting’s Grand Slam Lifts Mission Viejo to Victory

Paul Whiting’s grand slam with two out in the fifth inning Thursday provided the margin of victory in Mission Viejo’s 7-3 South Coast League win over host San Clemente.

With the victory, Mission Viejo (15-9, 9-6) qualified for the playoffs as the league’s second-seeded team.

San Clemente (13-13, 7-8) chose to intentionally walk cleanup hitter Billy Hart to load the bases, before Whiting came through with the decisive hit. John Hudgins’ bases-loaded groundout to third drove in the first run in the Diablos’ five-run fifth.

Jordan Million pitched two innings, giving up one hit, to get the victory.

El Toro 4, Dana Hills 2--Eric Walsh pitched a four-hitter with seven strikeouts for host El Toro (14-11-1, 8-7). Blake Gasca had two hits and two RBIs and Grant Plumley had two hits for the Chargers.

Mike Loconto hit a home run in the seventh for Dana Hills (7-18-1, 1-14).