Shadowlands

Looking back, 5 years ago this week.

Andre Agassi leads the United States to a 4-1 Davis Cup world

quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands in front of 5,396 at Palisades

Tennis Club. With Agassi leading the celebration after his

come-from-behind win over Jan Seimerink, the Americans parade around

center court to the tune, “Proud to be an American.”

Agassi scores a 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win to record his 15th

straight Davis Cup match, dating back to 1991.

Matt Larson’s pitching guides the Corona del Mar High baseball team to

a 9-0 victory over Newport-Mesa District rival Costa Mesa. Larson yields

only four hits, walks just one and throws an economical 77 pitches (54

strikes) in his first varsity, a complete game. He strikes out eight

Mustangs. The win gives the Sea Kings third place in the Blue Division of

the Pride of the Coast Tournament. The shutout extends CdM’s pitching

staff’s scoreless inning streak to 21. CdM senior catcher Evan Schiff

caps a 3-for4 day with a solo home run in the sixth, his first of the

season.

The Newport Harbor baseball team scores 11 runs in the last two

innings to rally for a 16-15 win over Royal. Down, 15-5, after five innings, the Sailors respond with a six-run sixth and five runs in the

seventh. Joe Urban pounds out a solo home run in the fourth and adds a

triple to tie the game in the seventh. Ray Ohrel smashes a two-run

double.

Looking back, 10 years ago this week.

The Estancia High baseball team punches out the right numbers to score

a 2-1 Pacific Coast League victory over visiting crosstown rival Costa

Mesa. Estancia pitcher Victor Ramirez paces the win with his

nine-strikeout performance. Mesa actually outhits the Eagles, 6-3, but

the Mustangs leave nine runners stranded, seven in scoring position.

Estancia first baseman connects for an RBI single to score Jose

Hernandez. The Eagles’ catcher Mike Smith leads off the second inning

with a double to right. He steals third and when the ball gets away

downfield, he goes the distance for what proves to be the winning margin.

The Newport Harbor boys volleyball team raises higher expectations

after a 15-6, 15-9, 15-10 victory over Sea View League foe Woodbridge.

The Sailors improve to 8-0, 2-0 in league, cruising past what is expected

to be their toughest league competitor. Newport earns 17 stuff blocks, including five each by Justin McIntee and Frank Griffo, who also has 13

kills. McIntee adds 11 kills, while Mark McAnlis spikes 13.

Marti Mittman doubles in a run and strikes out three to lead the

Corona del Mar softball team to a 15-3 mercy-rule win over Laguna Beach.

Sara Amoli goes 3 for 5 with three RBIs, while Cyndi Wells turns in a

3-for-4 performance that comes with two RBIs.

-- compiled by Steve Virgen