IRVINE – Woodbridge’s baseball team pushed across two runs in the third inning and used a strong pitching performance by senior Jake Larson to defeat Savanna, 2-0, in the opening round of the Loara Tournament on Friday night at Ryan Lemmon Stadium.
Larson (2-0) allowed just two hits, struck out six and walked two.
“Special thanks to these guys,” Larson said of his teammates. “They did most of the work out there, playing great defense and playing well behind me. It’s good to get the win.”
Woodbridge (3-0) had six hits and did not make an error. Larson also picked two runners off first base.
“It’s a good club we have with a lot of senior leadership,” said Woodbridge coach Tim Murray. “I’m very proud of the way they play baseball. The guy on the mound tonight was pretty special. That’s what we expect out of Jake. He’s been doing it since his sophomore year, but it’s nice to see him step into that starting role and put the team on his back.”
It was the first complete game of the year for Larson, who pitched five innings Feb. 27 to get the win in the Warriors’ 10-1 victory over Palm Springs.
Jake Wilkerson was solid for the first five innings on the mound for Savanna (0-3) before giving way to Michael Kashou, who pitched the sixth inning.
Senior Zak Baayoun delivered a two-out triple to right center field in the third inning to drive in Caleb Anderson, who had walked, to put the Warriors ahead, 1-0.
“Zak is another senior coming through,” Murray said. “With two outs, that was a big swing right there.”
Jackson Lyon followed with a single to give Woodbridge a 2-0 lead.
After that, the Warriors relied on Larson to complete the deal.
Savanna brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning.
David Alvarado walked with two outs but Larson retired the next batter to end the game.
Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com
