Christian Continues to Lead in City Central With Win

SAN DIEGO —  In the four-year history of the City Central League, Hoover High School is the only team to have reigned as the league’s baseball champion.

But this season may turn out different.

Thanks to some strong pitching and timely hitting, Christian High, last year’s second-place team, is undefeated and at the top of the league standings.

The Patriots had their fourth straight league win Wednesday, rallying from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat St. Augustine, 10-4.

Against the Saints, senior left-fielder Tod Savage had two hits and drove in four runs and Bobby Lott had two hits and three RBIs to lead the Patriots’ nine-hit attack and help make a winner of Steve Essick, who allowed nine hits but improved his record to 3-0.

In other the City Central action:

Hoover 11, Lincoln 9--The Cardinals were led by Mark Gorence and Sam Aguirre, who each drove in three runs. Hoover stayed in contention by surprising Lincoln and improving its record to 2-2, 7-8. Lincoln 2-2, 10-5-1.

In the City Eastern League:

Patrick Henry 4, Serra 1--Mike Romberg pitched a one-hitter and Scott Middaugh drove in two runs to help the top-ranked Patriots (4-0, 14-1) gain their fifth-straight win. Serra’s only hit was a single by Tom Rowan in the third inning.

Mira Mesa 9, Madison 3--Jim Pritikin carried a shutout into the seventh inning as the Marauders (3-1, 11-4) surprised the seventh-ranked Warhawks (2-2, 11-5) at Madison to move into sole possession of second place.

Point Loma 8, Morse 7--The Pointers (2-2, 9-5) moved into a third-place tie with Madison by defeating the Tigers (0-4, 8-10) at Point Loma.

In the City Western League:

Mission Bay 6, La Jolla 1--Enzo Rodriguez went six innings and struck out 10 to improve his record to 7-2 and John Hemmerly had two doubles to lead the third-ranked Buccaneers (3-1, 16-3) past the winless Vikings (0-4, 0-15) at La Jolla.

Clairemont 4, University City 3 (8 innings)--Jeff Sturch (5-1) pitched a complete game and hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning to give the Chiefs (3-1, 12-6) the win over the Centurions (3-1, 9-9) to create a three-way tie for first with Mission Bay.

University 4, Kearny 2--Mike Hillerman struck out seven of the first nine batters he faced and then combined with Troy Kent on an eight-hitter to lead the Dons (2-2, 11-7) past the Komets (1-3, 8-7) at Kearny. David Mudd had two hits and an RBI to lead the University offense.

In the Palomar League:

Mt. Carmel 10, Poway 4--Dave Schiesser struck out nine in five innings and improved his record to 7-1 as the Sundevils (5-1, 12-6) won for the fourth straight time to remain in first place. Miah Bradbury had three hits including a two-run homer and John Torrey Pines 3, Orange Glen 2 (8 innings)--The Falcons (4-2, 9-9) downed the Patriots (3-3, 9-8-1) on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth.

Vista 5, Fallbrook 4--Ron Howard hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh to give the Panthers (4-2, 11-5) the win over the Warriors (3-3, 11-8).

In the Avocado League:

San Pasqual 10, Carlsbad 0--Robbie Adams pitched the first five innings to improve his record to 7-1 as the sixth-ranked Eagles (5-1, 14-2) downed the Lancers (2-4, 5-10) at Carlsbad.

San Marcos 17, Escondido 4--The Knights (5-1, 12-5) exploded for seven runs in the third inning to turn the game into a rout to stay tied for first with San Pasqual. Escondido (3-3, 7-10) was held without a hit until the sixth inning.

Ramona 3, Oceanside 2--Paul Cavallo drove in all three runs with a two-run home run and a run-scoring double to lead the Lancers (2-4, 6-5) past the Pirates (2-4, 2-13) at Oceanside. Steve Gutierrez homered for the losers.

In a nonleague game:

San Dieguito 7, El Camino 1--Rick McCarthy hit a two-run homer and Shane Pickett pitched four innings to get the win as the Mustangs (3-14) won the for the first time in 15 outings defeating the Wildcats (5-13) at San Dieguito.