Breakers solid in Lions tourney

The Laguna Beach High baseball team’s impressive run in the Anaheim Lions Tournament came to an end Wednesday when the Breakers closed out tournament play against Santa Fe Springs St. Paul.

The Breakers, who had won their first four tourney games, fell, 4-2, to the Swordsmen at Boysen Park in Anaheim.

Sophomore Will McInerny had a hit and RBI, senior Preston GrandPre had a hit, scored a run and stole two bases for the Breakers.

Junior Cole Coscino (0-1) struck out three in five innings pitched.

Laguna, the No. 5 team in CIF Southern Section Division 4, is 12-2 overall.

The setback put an end to the Breakers’ eight-game win streak.

“Four and one (4-1) is a good record in this tournament,” Laguna Coach Mike Bair said. “Our inexperienced pitching really competed and kept us in every game. I’m proud of how well we played.”

The loss came one day after Laguna took down West Torrance at the tournament, 3-2. Senior Steven Harrison had a three-run double and sophomore Zak Kovacic threw six innings for the win which put his record at 3-1.

Bair called it an “incredible team win.”

“Everyone contributed,” he said. “I am very proud of how our players remained focused and strong every inning.”

The Breakers rolled to tourney wins against Magnolia (4-2), Viewmont of Utah (9-8), and Oxford Academy (12-0) before beating West Torrance and losing to St. Paul.

“Timely hitting has been our best attribute in these tournament wins,” Bair said.

Laguna returns to Orange Coast League action Friday and plays host to Costa Mesa at 3:15 p.m.

Next week, the Breakers are home to Capistrano Valley Christian for a 3 p.m. nonleague game Wednesday. It’s their final game until April 19, when the resume league play with a doubleheader at Saddleback that begins at 10 a.m.

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Softball

Laguna stormed to a big lead Tuesday over Newport Harbor, then held off a late comeback attempt by the visiting Sailors, to take a 7-4 nonleague victory at Thurston Middle School.

The Breakers took a 7-1 lead into the sixth inning where the Sailors rallied.

Junior pitcher Halle Redfearn got the win.

“It was a great team win and a big boost to our morale,” Laguna Coach Nicole LeMottee said. “Jen Sorenson had an RBI, Veronica Clancey had an RBI, and Jordan Hartman made some amazing plays at third base and also had a couple of big hits.”

The Breakers play their second league game Tuesday and take on host Calvary Chapel at 3:15 p.m. at TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa.

LeMottee, previously the assistant coach for the Breakers, took over the head coaching reins March 24, replacing Andrea Lorentz.

“This is a really, really good group of girls who are really gung-ho about learning,” LeMottee said. “I’m excited to be able to lead this group.”

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CIF Weekly Rankings

Baseball: Laguna Beach (No. 5, Division 4).