Baseball: Eagles lose heartbreaker

COSTA MESA - The Estancia High baseball team came about as close as

you can to a third consecutive win with actually getting it.

Leading, 1-0, the Eagles committed two costly errors which led to two

unearned runs, resulting in a 2-1 Pacific Coast League loss to visiting

Laguna Beach.

“It was a well-pitched game on both sides,” Estancia Coach Jim Deats

said. “Two unearned runs proved to be the difference.”

Pitcher Jordan Hart gave up only three hits and walked only two over

seven innings, but took the loss for Estancia (5-9, 2-6).

“Jordan got ahead of the hitters and retired the leadoff hitter in six

of seven innings,” Deats said. “He pitched a great ball game, as did the

Laguna Beach pitcher.”

The aforementioned Artists’ pitcher was Todd Merz, who allowed a

first-inning run on an RBI single by Brent Davis, but nothing else the

rest of the way. “He’s one of the toughest pitchers we’re going to face

all year,” Deats said of Merz.

After Hart retired the first batter in the seventh, Merz reached base

on an error. The next batter flied out which would have ended the game if

not for the miscue.

Alex Dy-Buncio took advantage of the extra opportunity and ripped a

double into left-center, which scored Merz and tied the game. Dy-Buncio

then scored on another Estancia error for a 2-1 Artists’ lead.

Estancia was held in check in the seventh, ending the game. The Eagles

will take on the Artists (3-5 in league) at Laguna Beach on Thursday,

beginning at 3:15 p.m.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Laguna Beach 2, Estancia 1

Laguna Beach 000 000 2 - 2 3 0

Estancia 100 000 0 - 1 3 2

Merz and Baumer; Hart and Davis. W - Merz. L - Hart, 2-2. 2B -

Dy-Buncio (LB).