PREP ROUNDUP:

The performance was strong, and so was the name.

Marina High senior Paul Strong pitched a complete-game shutout as the Vikings topped Fountain Valley, 5-0, Friday in the Sunset League opener for both schools.

Strong, a lefty who has committed to UC Irvine, allowed just two hits and struck out eight Barons, improving to 2-0 this season.

“He’s real solid,” Marina Coach Paul Renfrow said. “He’s been pitching since he was a sophomore, and he’s had a lot of talent, but now he’s becoming a more complete pitcher. He’s more composed. He’s real consistent, which allows the defense to just play.”

The Vikings (5-1) got all they needed in the first inning. After Robert Chavarria’s infield single, Josh Aden sacrificed but the throw was to second and Chavarria was just safe. Catcher Vinny Ponce followed with a bunt down the third-base line, but the throw to first went into right field and Marina scored a run.

J.J. Baccarri followed with an infield single to short and Ponce would eventually score on a wild pitch. After Slater Davies’ RBI single to center, it was 4-0, Vikings.

Chavarria scored twice and went two for four for Marina.

“It was good to show that we know what we’re doing this year,” Strong said. “We’ve turned things around, and we know what we’re doing. We have a senior team this year so we’re hoping to take it all the way.”

Center fielder Kevin Osaki had a double and a walk for Fountain Valley (3-4). First baseman Danny Jimenez provided the other hit, and pitcher Cody Morad threw five innings and struck out six.

“We played a really experienced team today,” Fountain Valley Coach Joe MacDonald said. “They’ve got a lot of returning kids, and we made some young mistakes. Give [Strong] credit. He battled, and jumped up on hitters all day along. He’s got three quality pitches; he’s one of the top guys in the league.”

Marina plays at Edison at 3 p.m. Friday in yet another big league game. Marina is ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division I and Edison is No. 7.

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In other baseball action

The Chargers got off to a strong Sunset League start themselves, beating Esperanza, 11-0, behind senior hurler Kurt Heyer.

Heyer had a five-hitter and struck out seven for Edison (5-1). Donald Sneed had four hits and Josh Lesinski had a two-run home run in the first inning, when Edison scored six times.

?Huntington Beach topped Foothill, 6-4, in its Sea View League opener Friday. Senior Barry Luke got the win for the Oilers (4-2) and Blake Cestr recorded the save.

?Ocean View (4-4) lost its Golden West League opener to Segerstrom, 3-1. Andrew Bynum had a double for the Seahawks, although he lost his first game of the year on the mound.

?Brethren Christian lost a tough game to Whitney, 11-10, in its Academy League opener Friday. The Warriors then fell to St. Margaret’s, 9-4, on Tuesday.

Cameron Smith was three for four for Brethren Christian (1-4, 0-2 in league). Brian Yabuki and Brad Hess each added two hits, with Hess scoring twice and having one RBI.

“We’re making consistently about five errors a game,” Coach Josh Franco said. “We’re losing games we can win. It’s driving me nuts.”

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SWIMMING

The Edison High boys’ swim team finished third Saturday at the Millikan Southern Section Relays at Belmont Plaza.

The Chargers, led by Cal-bound senior Tom Shields, finished behind Murrieta Valley and Corona del Mar. Shields led off Edison’s victorious 200 backstroke relay (1:38.42) and had a lifetime-best 42.80 anchor split in the 400 free relay, almost rallying Edison to a win in that event.

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BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

Tyler Kulakowski had 11 kills and Eric Bartlett added seven as the Huntington Beach High topped Edison on Tuesday night, 25-14, 22-24, 25-18 and 25-20. Edison (2-5) had beaten Huntington Beach (5-5) at the O.C. Championships last weekend.

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BOYS’ LACROSSE

Huntington Beach High fell on March 19, 12-4, to rival Foothill High.

Senior Nathan Hesse and juniors Andrew Jackson, Andy Nemes and Brandon Cyprus scored one goal each. Hunter Costin had two assists and goalie Kevin Shepley made 14 saves.