Cassel’s Arm Helps Fit Pierce With Crown, 10-1

Jack Cassel allowed one hit in eight innings and Pierce College clinched its sixth conference or division title in 10 years with a 10-1 victory over Valley on Saturday in a Western State Conference Southern Division game at Pierce.

The Brahmas have won 14 of their last 16 games.

Cassel (7-2) struck out six, walked two and didn’t allow an earned run. Matt Schwartz’s first-inning single was the only hit for the Monarchs (6-20, 11-23).

Peter Gunny had three doubles and four runs batted in, and Nick Browne had a double, single and three RBIs for Pierce (24-12, 19-8).

Citrus 10, Canyons 9--The Cougars (22-18, 17-10) were eliminated from playoff contention in a WSC Southern Division game at Canyons. Mike Granger had three hits, including a three-run home run, and five RBIs. Larry Brown and Steve Lombardi also homered.

Bakersfield 2, Glendale 1--Matt Sagoian pitched a four-hitter for his sixth complete game, but Glendale (17-26) lost a WSC Southern Division game at Bakersfield.

CS Northridge 13, CS Los Angeles 7--Aaron McKenzie had two hits, including a double, and knocked in four runs for the host Matadors in a nonconference victory.

Jason Gorman and Bobby Koba each had two hits and two RBIs for the Matadors (20-30).

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

La Reina 4, Paraclete 2--It was fitting that La Reina pitcher Kristen Ward escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning to preserve the Regents’ victory in the championship game of the Desert Diamond Classic at Lancaster City Park. She worked out of trouble all day. Paraclete stranded eight runners and left the bases loaded twice.

Ward pitched a 4-0 victory over Alemany in the semifinals and had 25 minutes to rest before the championship game. It was the first time all season she pitched two games in the same day.

“I threw a lot of pitches in the first game, but I still felt good so I told my coach that I was OK if he needed me,” said Ward, who will attend Cal State Northridge.

La Reina’s Mackenzie Vandergeest doubled home Sarah DiJulio in the eighth inning and scored on a single by Tracey Clark. Jenny Ortez doubled to score Clark.

Ward (10-4) allowed seven hits and struck out three. Paraclete’s Lauren McDonald (9-5) allowed eight hits while striking out five.