El Dorado Rolls a 7 to Win

The big inning was the big difference for El Dorado, which scored seven runs in the third and cruised to a 12-6 victory over Laguna Hills in the Southern Section Division III baseball semifinals Tuesday at Cal State Fullerton.

Third-seeded El Dorado will try to win its second section title in three years when it plays top-seeded Westlake in the final Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Trailing, 4-3, El Dorado (25-5) dashed any hopes Laguna Hills may have had for an upset by scoring seven runs on four hits, three walks and two wild pitches. J.D. McCauley’s bases-loaded triple was the big blow.

“Seven runs can take the wind out of anybody’s sail,” El Dorado Coach Matt Stine said, “but you still have to play seven innings and they’re good enough to come back.”

Laguna Hills (18-11), got to El Dorado starter Jeff Flaig for four hits and three runs in the first inning, but the Golden Hawks’ Micah Hazen hit a three-run double to quickly even things up, 3-3.

“For us to maintain our poise after they scored three in the first was indicative of the way we’ve handled things all year,” Stine said.

Chris Turner’s run-scoring single in the second briefly put Laguna Hills ahead, 4-3, but Flaig settled down and retired 12 of the next 13 batters to post four shutout innings.

“It’s disappointing,” Laguna Hills Coach Jeff Cecil said, “but I’m proud of what this team accomplished.”

Flaig (12-2), who went six innings to get the win, has been the winning pitcher in all four playoff victories for El Dorado, including a five-inning no-hitter against Redondo and two wins in relief.

“It just feels good to get the job done,” Flaig said, “I was nervous at the beginning, but as soon as I started getting outs I was OK.” Mark Alai

In Division V:

Whittier Christian 2, North Hills L.A. Baptist 1--Whittier Christian (17-12) scored in the top of the seventh to break a 1-1 tie.

The Heralds advance to the final to play Cerritos Valley Christian, a 7-2 winner of Ventura St. Bonaventure.

Joey Conrad (9-2) got the victory and Anthony Villa picked up his fourth save for the Heralds.