Laguna's offense comes through

The Laguna Beach High softball team moved above .500 in Orange Coast League play Tuesday by taking down Saddleback, 15-0, in five innings at Thurston Middle School. They started the onslaught by getting seven hits in the first inning, including triples by Cory Kent and Kennedi Gherardini and a home run by freshman Jen Sorenson. Gherardini had a strong day at the plate, going four for four with five runs batted in.

The Breakers racked up 23 hits and improved to 3-2 in league and 11-6 overall.

"We got up big in the first inning, and cruised from there," Laguna Coach Alan Ludloff said. "This is the first time every player on our team got a hit in the same game."

Before blanking Saddleback, Laguna had posted another big offensive outing April 20 and defeated Costa Mesa, 13-1. The Breakers totaled 13 hits, led by Gherardini's two-run home run in the first inning and two home runs by sophomore Jordan Hartman, who drove in six runs.

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Ludloff said that junior hurler Haley Putnam will start Friday's league game at Estancia. First pitch is 3:15 p.m. Next week, the Breakers host league-leader Calvary Chapel on Tuesday and Godinez on May 4. Both games start at 3:30 p.m. and are at Thurston.

"We need to stay focused and keep the momentum going against Estancia," Ludloff said. "With the Calvary game the following Tuesday, it is important we don't look past the Estancia game."

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Baseball

In order to stay relevant in the Orange Coach League race, the Breakers needed wins over Estancia and Calvary Chapel. They did just that.

On Tuesday, Laguna scored a huge win by defeating visiting Calvary Chapel, 4-2. The triumph put the Breakers at 6-4 in league and 13-7 overall. Calvary fell to 8-2 in league but still leads the OCL pack. Sophomore Grant Wilhelm kept the Eagles in check and struck out six in a complete game. He improved to 6-2.

Offensively, senior Alex Iannotti — who was coming off thumb surgery — made his first appearance of the season memorable as he hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning that broke a tie score and put the Breakers in the lead for good. Junior all-leaguer Larry Stewart went two for three with a double that scored two in the bottom of the first.