Breakers JV softball gets job done

The Laguna Beach High softball team has settled gained confidence over other junior varsity teams in its division after playing pre-holiday break games with varsity-level teams. Laguna’s record is 10-5 and the Breakers are 4-0 in junior varsity Orange Coast League play.

In their most recent game, the Breakers outlasted Godinez, 8-7, at El Morro Field.

Lots of Lagunans were on the base paths, including Bailey Romatowski, who swiped multiple bases and scored multiple runs. Chloe Mansour was two for three with a run batted in and two runs scored, while Kennedi Gherardini went two for three with a walk, steal and two runs scored.

Sam Purl’s sharp double late in the sixth inning, scoring Mansour, provided the winning run for the Laguna girls.

Corey Kent went three for four, hitting a two-run home run in the fifth, finishing with three runs batted in. Haley Putnam hit a solo shot in the second, and in the circle, struck out seven.

Laguna Beach 18, Costa Mesa 1: On another windy day April 20, with drizzle howling in from the ocean at El Morro, Laguna launched five home runs. Seven Breakers had hits, including multiple homers by Anderson (two) and Putnam (three), a triple by Mansour and a two-RBI hit by Romatowski .

Putnam struck out 11 batters through the fourth and finished with 12. Two crisp dropped-third-strike throw-outs by the catcher Gherardini to first-baseman Karina Riess backed her up.

Laguna Beach 11, Estancia 1: Laguna scored once in the first, twice in the second and three times in the third in the win April 19.

Throughout the game, Laguna capitalized on walks or sharp singles, combined with strong base-running and pitching. Romatowski and Shannon Adams each collected walks and runs through the second inning.

In the top of the third, Putnam led off with a hit, stole second and third, and then Laguna loaded the bases as Gherardini and Riess both walked. Mackenzie Gardett sprinted home as a pinch-runner from third on Romatowski’s dribbler, and then Adams knocked in two more runs with a single to make it 6-0.

In the fourth, Katie Anderson led off with a single, stole second and scored from second base on a Putnam bunt. Kent’s single scored Riess and Gherardini scored on a passed ball.

Putnam started in the circle and struck out eight batters through four innings while giving up only one hit and one walk. A ground ball hit over the first-base bag was the only hit given up by the freshman pitcher, enabling Estancia to avoid the shutout. Taylor Weiss pitched a strong fifth to close-out the game, with a strikeout and two easy infield outs. Laguna’s defense was solid all-around, bolstering their offensive confidence.

Laguna’s next game is May 5 at El Morro against Estancia.

“” Rick Putnam, Community Correspondent

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JV BASEBALL

Breakers continue hot streak: On April 23, the Laguna Beach High junior varsity baseball team moved its record to 14-1 with a victory over Godinez in a league game.

The JV Breakers Godinez via mercy rule in five innings by a 12-2 score “” the second time they mercied the Grizzlies in a week.

With the exception of sophomore slugger Santi Pierini, Coach Mike Bair started an all freshmen squad.

Right-handed pitcher Jackson Riees scattered eight hits over the course of the game, allowing the Grizzlies to do little damage while picking up the win.

Meanwhile, catcher Blake Hester blasted a towering home run over the left-field fence and added several more hits on his way to a five-RBI day.

First baseman Larry Stewart added a two-for-three day at the plate with one RBI, while shortstop Eli Cassard went two for four with two RBIs.

“” Peter Navarro, Community Correspondent