After dropping its first game in the prestigious 37th annual Anaheim Lions Tournament, Mira Costa (11-4) rebounded to win two games Monday, including a 13-2 drubbing of Orange Lutheran, the ninth-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll.
Bay League rivals Palos Verdes, Peninsula and Redondo join Mira Costa in the 58-team tournament that includes four teams from Utah, one from Colorado, two from Northern California and three from the Central Coast.
Sean Isaac surrendered only two runs and four hits for the win against Orange Lutheran after Mira Costa defeated Brea-Olinda 7-4 earlier in the day.
The Mustang offense was led by Brett Collins, who went 6-for-6 with two doubles and two RBIs, and Isaac, who had three hits in six at bats with two doubles and three RBIs on the day.
“The game against Orange Lutheran was one of the best we’ve played all season,” Mira Costa shortstop Garrett Fedor said. “We’re putting everything together and playing up to the level of other teams.”
Mira Costa fell to San Clemente 8-5 Saturday in its first game of the tournament. Collins, Fedor, Turner Conrad and Ian McLoughlin each had two hit games in the loss.
“So far we have been winning because we have had great starting pitching, solid defense and timely hitting,” Mira Costa head coach Cassidy Olson said. “It’s a recipe for success. Sean Isaac has been masterful on the mound. I think he is showing that he is a D-1 pitcher.
Olson had also been impressed with his shortstop.
“Defensively our anchor has been shortstop Garrett Fedor,” Olson said. “He played the best 10-game stretch of any shortstop I have seen in my 11 years at Costa. He is showing he is a college shortstop.”
Mira Costa begins its Bay League title defense Wednesday, April 13 at West.
“Heading into league we just hope to compete for the title,” Olson said. “Peninsula has to be the favorite with their outstanding pitching staff.”
Peninsula is ranked No. 5 in Division 2.
“We lost a lot of talent from last year’s team, but we’re working really hard to defend our league title,” Fedor exclaimed.
Redondo (8-6) gave up five runs in the bottom of the first inning Monday and was unable to rally, falling to San Clemente 8-3.
The Sea Hawks split two games on Saturday, beating Kennedy 4-2 behind Grant Wessel’s complete game one-hitter, before losing to Troy 7-2. Richard Atherton went 2-for-3 and Travis Fischvogt had a double and an RBI in the lost.
Redondo opens Bay League competition Wednesday, April 13 with a 3:15 p.m. game at Leuzinger.
Softball
Rachael Lee knocked in two runs for Mira Costa (9-2-1) in the championship game of the Katella Tournament, but it wasn’t enough for the Mustangs who fell to Chino 6-3. Chino is ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern Section Division 2 while Mira Costa holds down the fifth spot in Division 3.
The Mustangs advanced to the final after defeating Godinez with a four-inning 11-0 win behind the no-hit pitching of Shannon Savino. Katie Saunders homered and knocked in three runs, Kamyle Glover went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Stefanni Lajeunesse homered while going 2-for-3.
Coach Dick Amberik’s Mustangs play a doubleheader at Temple City (No. 7 in Div. 5) Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. before beginning Bay League competition Wednesday, April 13 in a 3:15 p.m. contest at Peninsula.
Competing in the Woodbridge Tournament, Redondo (7-7) lost to the host team 9-5 despite Jen Stevens’ 2-for-3 performance that included a 2-run homerun.
The Sea Hawks rebounded to beat Elsinore 11-3 when Linda Park and Cindy Zamudio each went 2-for 3 with a double.
Redondo dropped its third game to Mission Hills by a score of 6-3. Coach Jennifer Dessert’s Sea Hawks begin their quest for a Bay League title Wednesday, April 13 with a 3:15 p.m. game at West. ER
