Breakers to play for tourney title

Four games into the season, with victories in each performance, has put the Laguna Beach High baseball team in line for a tournament championship.

The Breakers went to 4-0 on the season and also at the Newport Elks Tournament Wednesday by winning, 4-1, in a pool-play game of the Costa Mesa Division at Segerstrom. The victory comes one day after they had shut down visiting Ocean View, 2-0, in pool play.

Laguna is in position to win the tournament title. The Breakers have a shot at the title and need a win Friday (3 p.m.) at Westminster in their tourney finale, to stay in title contention.

Senior pitcher Grant Wilhelm threw a complete-game victory Wednesday at Segerstrom.

In the 2-0 win Tuesday over Ocean View (4-2), sophomore Will McInerny registered the win. Senior Garrett Burk doubled and had two hits and scored a run to lead a Laguna offense that had six hits. Senior Preston GrandPre singled and scored the other Laguna run.

“We grinded out a tough win and made key plays when we needed to,” Laguna Coach Mike Bair said. “We take pride in our pitching and defense, and they both were on against Ocean View.

“[Ocean View] started the season strong, so it’s nice to get this win.”

Laguna started its season and the tournament March 6 against Orange, and never trailed in taking a 6-2 victory.

Senior Richie Nunis drove in three runs, Burk had a hit and RBI, and junior Anthony Norelli went two for two and scored a run for the Breakers who scored the final four runs of the game. Wilhelm recorded his first complete-game win of the season.

In its second tournament game Saturday, Laguna pummeled visiting Troy, 28-0. A potent Breakers offense racked up 22 hits and 19 RBIs. GrandPre led the hits parade with four and drove in a run. McInerny (two RBIs), junior Cole Coscino (three RBIs) and sophomore Jack Simon (two RBIs) each had three hits, and senior Steven Harrison (two hits) drove in three runs. Sophomore Zak Kovacic notched his first pitching win.

Laguna delves into its Orange Coast League schedule Tuesday, visiting Godinez in a 3:15 p.m. start.

Laguna is the defending Orange Coast League champion.

“We believe we can be in the hunt for another league title,” Bair said.

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Softball

The Breakers started play March 7 at the Costa Mesa Tournament and dropped their first three games.

In their tournament opener, the Breakers fell, 8-1, to Cal Lutheran.

In two games played Saturday, Laguna lost to La Quinta, 8-5, and Santa Ana, 2-0.

First-year Laguna Coach Andrea Lorenz called it a “great, overall team effort.”

“It was a great opening week,” she said. “We got better every game. The team is adjusting to new players and coaches.”

The Breakers complete the Costa Mesa Tournament Friday and Saturday. They also currently are competing in the North OC Classic which runs through Friday.

Next week, Laguna travels for a 3:15 p.m. nonleague game Tuesday at Fountain Valley, and opens Orange Coast League play Thursday, hosting Estancia at 4 p.m. at Thurston Middle School.

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CIF Weekly Rankings

Baseball: Laguna Beach (No. 4, Division 4).