Taking the crown

The Corona del Mar High baseball team defeated Pacific Coast League

rival Tesoro, 3-1, Saturday at Dodger Stadium to win the CIF Southern

Section Division IV championship.

The Sea Kings (25-5) extended their season-ending winning streak

to 17 games as senior pitcher Blake Contant threw a complete-game,

three-hitter to improve to 12-2 this season. It was the fourth win in

five postseason games for Contant, who benefited from an eight-hit

attack.

Tesoro (20-11), the designated visitor, took a 1-0 lead in the

first inning, but Corona del Mar rallied to tie in its first at-bat.

Junior Tyler Lance singled with the bases loaded to break the tie

in the fourth, and senior shortstop Jeritt Thayer followed with an

RBI single to finalize the scoring.

It was the Sea Kings’ fourth win this season over the Titans.

“We knew Tesoro was going to give us a big run,” Sea Kings Coach

John Emme said. “It’s very, very hard to beat a team four times, but

we did it.”

Corona del Mar defeated PCL rival Northwood for the fourth time

this season in a 6-5 semifinal win Tuesday to advance.

Corona del Mar’s other three playoff wins came against Cabrillo of

Lompoc, Apple Valley and San Dimas.

The Sea Kings also won the CIF Division IV crown in 1999 and were

CIF 2-A champions in 1981.

For complete game coverage, see Sports, Page B1.