Hidalgo Carries Bishop Amat

Anthony Hidalgo pitched a six-hitter and struck out 11 in his first start of the season to lead La Puente Bishop Amat High to a 6-2 victory over Westminster La Quinta in the championship baseball game of the Toyo Tires National Classic on Thursday at Cal State Fullerton.

It was the second consecutive National Classic title for Bishop Amat (13-2), the No. 2-ranked team in the region by The Times.

Hidalgo, a senior right-hander, struck out the side in the first and third innings. He worked out of jams in the fourth and fifth to help the Lancers hold off No. 5-ranked La Quinta (15-2).

Adam Simon went three for three with a double, scored two runs and drove in one for Bishop Amat, which scored in each of the first three innings and led, 5-1, entering the fifth.

La Quinta had runners on second and third base with two outs in the fourth, but Hidalgo induced Charlie Cortez to ground out to end the threat.

Hidalgo, who walked two, worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth after Cam Blanchard’s single had cut La Quinta’s deficit to 5-2.

Hidalgo got Ian Kennedy to ground the ball to third baseman Raul Ramirez, who threw home for the forceout. Catcher Jordan Swaydan then threw to first base in time to double up Kennedy.

Ian Stewart then popped out to shallow center field to end the inning.

Mike Lange had two hits, scored a run, and drove in a run for Bishop Amat.

Leadoff batter David Pierson walked twice, stole a base and scored two runs for the Lancers.

Placentia El Dorado 9, Anaheim Esperanza 5--Cory D’Arrigo and Chris Wessel each had two hits and drove in a run for 14th-ranked El Dorado (12-4) in the third-place game of the National Classic.

Bryan Jackson (3-2) allowed 10 hits in six innings for El Dorado.

Esperanza is 9-7.