Baseball: Keston Hiura hits two home runs, raising season total to 11

Hitting home runs at the high school level is supposed to be very challenging because of the changes in aluminum bats, but Keston Hiura, a senior shortstop at Valencia headed to UC Irvine, doesn’t seem to be having any trouble showing off his power.

He went four for four on Wednesday with two home runs, giving him 11 home runs on the season, in Valencia’s 14-1 Foothill League win over Canyon Country Canyon.

“I’m just seeing the ball and feeling in the groove,” he said. “I was always taught to hit the ball hard and whatever happens, happens. I’m not trying to hit home runs.”

Justin Donatella, the son of former Sylmar Coach Gary Donatella, came through with a clutch pitching performance to help Saugus defeat West Ranch, 4-1, and stay tied for first place in the Foothill League with Hart.

He went all seven innings, scattering nine hits. Roy Verdejo hit a two-run home run to help defeat West Ranch ace Jake Bird. Jake Drees had three hits for West Ranch. Hart defeated Golden Valley, 7-6. Cody Miller had a home run and triple.

In the Sunset League, Huntington Beach scored three runs in the top of the seventh to defeat Edison, 4-3. Dillon Millar had two hits. No. 1 Fountain Valley defeated Marina, 9-6, with three runs in the top of the eighth inning. Junior Aguilar had three hits and three RBIs. Scott Schultz improved to 11-0 in relief.

Mission Viejo got a complete game and seven strikeouts from Patrick Sandoval in a 3-0 win over Laguna Hills.

El Segundo defeated North Torrance, 6-4. Spencer Long reached base three times. California defeated Santa Fe, 8-1. Daniel Alvarez threw six shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing two hits.

No. 2-ranked Long Beach Wilson defeated Compton, 18-0. Sean Williams had three hits and three RBIs.

In the Marmonte League, Thousand Oaks defeated Simi Valley, 3-2. Bailey Holbrook hit a three-run home run in the first inning. Wyatt Birg threw a complete game. Thomas Ponticelli threw a five-hitter in Newbury Park’s 1-0 win over Royal. Westlake defeated Calabasas, 1-0. Nick Noack threw an eight-hitter. Tyler Howell allowed only six hits for Calabasas.

Agoura stayed unbeaten in the Marmonte with a 2-1 win over Moorpark. Andy Sondreaal struck out seven and allowed two hits. Daniel Cipriano continued his hot hitting with a two-run home run in the third.

In the Sierra League, Damien defeated first-place South Hills, 6-3, in eight innings. Chino Hills defeated Claremont, 16-0. Cody Sporrer went four for four with five RBIs.

In the Century League, Foothill defeated Anaheim Canyon, 9-1. Hudson Hughes threw a complete game, striking out six. Randell Kanemaru had three RBIs. Dylan Doherty and Alex Diaz had two hits apiece. Canyon, Foothill and Esperanza are in a virtual three-way tie for first. Esperanza defeated Villa Park, 3-1. Tyler Salcido had a home run. Dominic Potlongo threw a complete game.

In the Valley Mission League, Kennedy defeated Canoga Park, 21-0. Sylmar defeated Reseda, 15-1. Angel Hernandez had three hits.

In the West Valley League, Jeremy Polon got the win and Jordan Berg the save in El Camino Real’s 3-1 win over Granada Hills. Tommy Derry had an RBI. Chatsworth defeated Taft, 2-1. Nico Switalla got the win. Birmingham defeated Cleveland, 2-1, in eight innings. Adrian Rodriguez threw 2 2/3 innings to get the win. Ryan Mendoza and Alexis Miranda each had two hits.

Hamilton defeated North Hollywood, 2-1. Benji Kaiserman and Zack Diamond combined on a five-hitter.

Oaks Christian clinched the Tri-Valley League title with a 6-1 win over Grace Brethren. Noah Prewett went three for four with two doubles.

In the Valle Vista League, Baldwin Park defeated Northview, 4-2. Sergio Flores, Michael Guzman and Anthony Franco all had two-out RBIs for the Braves (14-5-1, 7-2). Jake Harrison had a two-run home run for Northview.