Breakers step up to grab title
The Orange Coast League baseball season got underway in mid-March and nearly two months later, its title chase boiled down to a two-game series this week between Laguna Beach High and Calvary Chapel.
The teams headed into the all-important final week of the league and regular season tied for first place but after the outcome of their first meeting, a Tuesday matchup at Laguna’s Skipper Carrillo Field, the title belongs to the Breakers.
Laguna won for the second time in as many tries against Calvary Chapel in league play by rallying from a 3-0 deficit to topple the Eagles in the showdown, 4-3. It gave them a one-game edge and a 2-0 series lead on the Eagles.
The teams wrapped up their three-game series Thursday. The score wasn’t available at press time.
Laguna previously blanked Calvary Chapel, 6-0 in a road game April 20.
Calvary Chapel staked its way to the lead early by jumping out to a 3-0 advantage after one-half inning. Undeterred, the Breakers got one run back in the bottom of the first, went through three scoreless innings before pushing across the tying runs in the bottom of the fifth, and scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the sixth.
The victory allowed Laguna, which improved to 12-2 in league and 14-12 overall, to capture its fourth consecutive league championship.
Coach Mike Bair was impressed with his team’s gutsy performance Tuesday.
“Pure heart and grit,” is how he described the triumph. “Every player was focused and did everything they could to win the game. It was a great victory and I am deeply proud of this team.”
Catcher Will McInerny delivered Laguna’s first run with an RBI single in the bottom of the first. Dustin Angus came up with a two-run double in the fifth which tied the score, and Dante Faicchio provided the Breakers with their first lead and what turned out to be the winning run with an RBI single in the sixth.
Connor Basile paced Laguna’s 11-hit attack with three hits including a double. Faicchio went two for three, walked and had an RBI. Zak Kovacic, Connor Coscino, Cutter Clawson and Alex Baker also had hits.
Junior Ashton Goddard started on the mound and threw 5 2/3 innings. Sophomore Jack Loechner pitched 1/3 of the sixth and recorded the win, and sophomore Blake Burzell pitched the seventh and earned a save.
“[Ashton] Goddard was so tough today,” Bair said. “He kept fighting, making pitches, and blanked Calvary for five innings after the first. He was a warrior today.”
The win allowed the Breakers to bounce back from a 4-2 home defeat May 5 to Estancia.
Laguna will learn its CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoff fate Monday when the division brackets are announced. As a league champion, the Breakers are in line to host a first-round home game.
Division 4 wild-card games are Tuesday, and first-round games are Thursday.
“We are ready, confident, and firing on all cylinders,” Bair said of his team as it heads into postseason play. “Each one of us believes we can win a championship.”
—
Softball
The Breakers forfeited their Orange Coast League game scheduled for Tuesday at Estancia.
The Breakers ended their season Thursday hosing Calvary Chapel. The score wasn’t available at press time.
--
Twitter: @MikeSciacca
