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3/24/2011  Irvine Valley can't hold late lead, falls at Santa AnaMicah Gorman
The Irvine Valley baseball team was on the verge of beating conference-leading Santa Ana for the second straight time.
The Lasers had the Dons right where they wanted, up 6-3, with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and then it fell apart. Santa Ana rallied for four runs in the eighth and went on to a 7-6 Orange Empire Conference win at Santa Ana on Thursday afternoon.
Irvine Valley's record slipped to 12-10 overall and 3-6 in conference.
"We still played a really good game," IVC Coach Kent Madole said. "We were sharp and aggressive. We swung the bats well and (Ryan) Goodbrand pitched exceptionally well. The team looked good. It was still a step in the right direction."
Irvine Valley defeated Santa Ana, 3-2, on Tuesday behind the stand out pitching of sophomore Daniel Levine. Sophomore Ryan Goodbrand recorded a solid performance on the mound on Thursday for IVC.
But Goodbrand was taken out of the game in the eighth inning after throwing 128 pitches. The Lasers' 6-3 lead quickly vanished after Goodbrand recorded the first out of the inning with a strikeout.
Freshman relief pitcher Austen Zimarik replaced Goodbrand. With Gary Apelian standing on second base for Santa Ana, Adrian Garcia singled to left field giving the Dons a first and third situation. Danny Recio was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jordan Byrd followed with a pinch hit single to score Apelian from third, cutting the lead to 6-4.
Konnor Armijo then drew a walk, which forced Garcia in from third to pull the Dons within one. After Trevor Magno popped out to shortstop, Andy Peterson hit a two-run single through the middle of the infield, giving the Dons their first lead of the game at 7-6.
Garrett Wilson came in to pitch the ninth inning and allowed just one hit with two outs before closing the game out to earn his fourth save of the season. Michael Lopez (2-0) earned the win in relief for the Dons as he pitched two innings while allowing just one run on one hit.
The Lasers were able to build their 6-3 lead with a run in the first, two unearned runs in each of the third and sixth innings and finally a solo home run by sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman in the seventh inning.
Irvine Valley could have been up by even more, but had two runners thrown out at home in the game and another runner thrown out at third trying to stretch a double into a triple.
Goodbrand ended up pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits, three walks and three hit batters. He had nine strikeouts. He didn't factor in the decision.
Zimarik took the loss, giving three runs on two hits and one hit batter.
Freshman Brendan Cates got the final two outs in the eighth, giving up one hit and one walk. IVC out-hit Santa Ana in the contest, 11-6. Gorman was 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI, freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski was 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBI, freshman first baseman Buddy Johns went 2 for 3 with one RBI and freshman leftfielder Chris Poplawski was 2 for 4.
"Our bullpen just didn't close the door today," Madole said. "We have to firm that up. But I am still proud of the team. Overall, if we keep playing like this, there is still a lot to loook forward to this season."
Irvine Valley plays again on Saturday in a conference game at Fullerton at 12 p.m.          Box Score
 
3/22/2011  Levine on top of his game as IVC beats Santa AnaDaniel Levine
It was Daniel Levine's turn to be the star on the mound for the Irvine Valley baseball team Tuesday afternoon.
The sophomore right-hander shut down one of the top hitting teams in the state, throwing a complete game, four-hitter to lead the Lasers to a 3-2 win over Santa Ana in a Orange Empire Conference game at Irvine Valley.
It was Irvine Valley's third complete game effort in the last four games and the club's conference-leading seventh of the season. IVC also handed Santa Ana, which was ranked third in the latest Southern California Poll, its first loss in conference this year.
No. 14 Irvine Valley improved its record to 12-9 overall and 3-5 in conference, while Santa Ana fell to 15-5 overall and 7-1 in conference.
"What a performance," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said of the work by Levine. "Santa Ana is an offensive club. They have the highest batting average in the conference. He threw all three of his pitches for strikes and showed a lot of moxy out there on the mound today."
Levine held Santa Ana to its second fewest runs in a game this year. Levine went nine innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on four hits and one walk and had nine strikeouts in his 119-pitch effort. Levine improved his record to 3-1 on the year.
He got some help from his defense with a couple of nice plays at third base by sophomore Micah Gorman, a diving Scott Kaplancatch in center field by freshman Bryce Hara and a leaping catch in a clutch moment at second base by freshman Scott Kaplan.
With the game tied, 2-2, and a Santa Ana runner in scoring position at second base with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Danny Recio hit a line drive that looked headed for right center field, but Kaplan timed his leap and snared the ball for the third out.
The game remained tied into the bottom of the ninth where Kaplan led off the inning with a single. Freshman Buddy Johns, making his second straight start at first base, followed with a single. That was it for Santa Ana starting pitcher Marcus Garrett, who was also solid. Kaplan and Johns each moved up a base after a pitch in the dirt by reliever Scott Brattvet.
And with the infield in, sophomore right fielder Drew Williams hit a hard grounder off the third baseman to bring in Kaplan for the winning run.
Kaplan finished the day going 4 for 4 to bring his team-leading batting average up to .486. Johns went 2 for 4 with one RBI, Williams was 1 for 4 with one RBI and freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski also drove in a run for the Lasers.
"The overall effort we got from everybody today, even the guys in the dugout, was the best we've had all year," Madole said. "I was really impressed."
Garrett took the loss for Santa Ana, going 8 1/3 innings and allowing three runs (two in the first inning) on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Marcus Meraz had two of Santa Ana's four hits on the afternoon.
The two teams meet again on Thursday at Santa Ana at 2 p.m.          Box Score
 
3/22/2011  Baseball team climbs to 14th in regional poll
Irvine Valley's baseball team moved up a couple of more places in the latest Community College Baseball Coaches Association Southern California Poll.
It is the third straight week that the Lasers have climbed the poll. IVC was No. 17 two weeks ago, 16th last week and is now 14th in the poll that was released early Tuesday.
Irvine Valley received 137 points, up from 97 points last week, to come in ranked 14th. It trailed No. 13 San Diego Mesa by just six points.
The top 10 teams in the poll were Orange Coast (No. 1 for the third straight week), Rio Hondo, Santa Ana, Bakersfield, Cuesta, Cypress, Palomar, LA Mission, Chaffey and Riverside.
Irvine Valley had wins over four teams in the poll - No. 4 Bakersfield, No. 6 Cypress, No. 17 Southwestern and No. 18 Golden West - heading into its game with third-ranked Santa Ana Tuesday afternoon.
Irvine Valley, which has a record of 11-9 overall and 2-5 in the Orange Empire Conference hosts Santa Ana on Tuesday at 2 p.m.          So Cal Poll
 
3/21/2011  Former Irvine Valley star Sean Williams named Big West Conference player of the week at Santa Barbara
Sean Williams, a standout second baseman on Irvine Valley's baseball team that reached the super regionals in 2008, was named the Big West Conference player of the week on Monday for UC Santa Barbara. Williams, who has reached base in all but one of UCSB's games this season, was 6 for 7 last Saturday, driving in a pair of runs - each of which counted as the game-winning RBI.
The senior second baseman had a sacrifice fly in the first game and an RBI double in the second game, while also stealing a base on the day. He is hitting a team-high .414 and has 10 hits in his last 15 at-bats for the Gauchos, who swept a doublehader from Nevada last Saturday and have a record of 9-6 on the year. 
In 2009 at Irvine Valley, Williams was named the team's Best Offensive Player and an all-conference pick after compiling 53 hits, 31 runs, 33 RBI, 14 doubles, two triples and four home runs.
He was also awarded the Silver Slugger Award. In 2008, he scored 26 runs and drove in 36 more while hitting two home runs.
 
3/17/2011  Goodbrand throws a gem to beat Golden West
Irvine Valley sophomore pitcher Ryan Goodbrand threw his second straight complete game. And this time around Goodbrand got enough support to earn a win.
The right-hander gave up just one run on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts to lead Irvine Valley to a 2-1 win over Golden West in an Orange Empire Conference game at IVC on Thursday afternoon.
Goodbrand faced just 33 batters in the 119-pitch performance. "He has been so good for us," IVC Coach Kent Madole said. "It was an amazing effort by him and a big win for our team. Hopefully this gives us a little momentum heading into the second round of conference."
Thursday's victory gave Irvine Valley a 11-9 record overall and a 2-5 mark in conference. Golden West slipped to 10-10 overall and 2-5 in conference.
Golden West starting pitcher Race Parmenter, who is headed to UC Irvine next season, was also solid. He went eight full innings, giving up two runs on three hits, two walks and one hit batter with five strikeouts. Irvine Valley didn't get its first hit of the game against Parmenter until the bottom of the fourth inning and that was an infield hit.
All of the runs in the game were scored late. Irvine Valley pushed across its first run in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out, freshman second basemen Scott Kaplan walked and then stole second.
Freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski walked and then freshman first baseman Buddy Johns, making his first start of the season, singled through the left side to bring in Kaplan with the game's first run. Irvine Valley scored its second run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Freshman left fielder Chris Poplawski was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Robert Dey came into pinch run and stole second. Freshman center fielder Bryce Hara then drove in Dey with an RBI double to make it 2-0.
Golden West scored one run in the top of the ninth, but that was it. The Rustlers scored the run on two hits, but Goodbrand got pinch-hitter Josh Cunningham to fly out with a runner on first to end the game.
The win lifted Goodbrand's record to 3-3 on the year. IVC only had three hits on the day and they came from Kaplan, Johns and Hara. John Baccari was 2 for 4 with one RBI for Golden West.
Irvine Valley opens the second round of conference on Tuesday, hosting conference-leading Santa Ana at 2 p.m.          Box Score
3/16/2011  Baseball team moves up a spot in regional poll
Thanks to a big road Orange Empire win at Cypress last week, the Irvine Valley baseball team moved up a spot in the latest Community College Baseball Coaches Association Southern California Poll.
The Lasers, who were unranked to start the year and were 17th in last week's poll, moved up to No. 16 this week. Irvine Valley garnered 97 points to place 16th.
The top 10 in the poll were Orange Coast (No. 1 for the second straight week), Rio Hondo, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, Cypress, Cuesta, LA Mission, Palomar, Chaffey and Riverside.
Irvine Valley has wins over three teams in the poll - No. 3 Bakersfield, No. 5 Cypress and No. 15 Southwestern. Irvine Valley, which has a record of 10-9 overall and 1-5 in conference hosts Golden West on Thursday at 2 p.m.          So Cal Poll 
 
3/15/2011  Irvine Valley can't get untracked against OCC
Irvine Valley's baseball team gave up two runs in the second and three more in the third and could never catch up to Orange Coast after that in a 9-5 Orange Empire Conference loss at home Tuesday afternoon.
Irvine Valley was its own worst enemy in the game, making five errors, allowing three unearned runs and striking out 12 times at the plate.
The defeat dropped Irvine Valley's record to 10-9 overall and 1-5 in conference. Orange Coast, ranked No. 1 in the latest Southern California poll, improved to 17-4 overall and 3-3 in conference.
Irvine Valley scored four runs in the bottom of the third on a three-run triple by sophomore catcher Drew Williams and a RBI single by freshman outfielder Brian Glynn to get back into it, but the Lasers were chasing all game. Coast added a run in the top of the fourth and each team scored a single run in the seventh inning to make it 7-5, but the Pirates put the game away with two runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Jed Vandernaald got the win to move to 5-0 on the year for Orange Coast. He relieved starting pitcher Mike Smith in the second inning. Vandernaald went 5.0 innings and allowed one run on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.
Irvine Valley had Vandernaald on the ropes in the bottom of the eighth inning, loading the bases with two outs, but Josh Evans came in and got his team out of the jam.
Sophomore Cody Fitzgerald took the loss on the mound for Irvine Valley, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks in 3.0 innings. Sophomore Austin Alva pitched the next five innings in relief. He gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks.
Freshman Austen Zimarik threw the final inning and allowed one unearned run on two hits.
IVC was led at the plate by Williams, who went 2 for 5 with a triple and three RBI. Freshman outfielder Byrce Hara was 2 for 5 and freshman first baseman Sean Guite and Glynn each also drove in runs for the Lasers.
Irvine Valley hosts Golden West in a conference game on Thursday at 2 p.m.          Box Score
 
3/12/2011  Baseball team shut out at Saddleback
The Irvine Valley baseball team couldn't get anything going on Saturday at Saddleback. The Lasers managed just three hits against Gaucho starting pitcher Zach Nuno in a 2-0 Orange Empire Conference loss.
The defeat dropped Irvine Valley's record to 10-8 overall and 1-4 in conference. Saddleback won its second straight conference game and improved to 2-3 in conference.
Irvine Valley only had hits in the third, fourth and ninth innings. Freshman shortstop A.J. Cardinelli singled in the top of the third. Sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman singled in the fourth and then stole second later in the inning, but was stranded there. IVC had its best chance to score in the ninth inning.
With two outs, freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan doubled to right center. Freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski was then hit by a pitch. But Nuno got IVC freshman first baseman Sean Guite to fly out to end the game.
Nuno threw a complete game for the win, allowing three hits, one walk and one hit batter with nine strikeouts.
Irvine Valley starting pitcher Ryan Goodbrand was just as good. He gave up both runs, but went eight full innings and gave up just six hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
His record slipped to 2-3 on the year. Saddleback scored a run each in the seventh and eighth innings - on a single and then a RBI double in the seventh and then a double, sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly in the eighth. Irvine Valley plays again on Tuesday at 2 p.m., hosting Orange Coast.        Box Score
 
3/10/2011  Irvine Valley comes through with win at CypressMicah Gorman
Irvine Valley's baseball team needed a win and that is just what the Lasers got on Thursday afternoon, beating Cypress, 11-10, in 10 innings in an Orange Empire Conference game at Cypress.
The Lasers had lost three straight games to open up conference. Now their record is 10-7 overall and 1-3 in conference.
"The guys really battled and fought," IVC Coach Kent Madole said. "It was a really good win for us, a good conference win at Cypress."
IVC bounced back from giving up a game-tying, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win. Irvine Valley pushed across a run in the top of the 10th inning and that was the difference.
Sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman doubled to lead off the inning. After an out, freshman first baseman Sean Guite and freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski hit back-to-back singles.
Lesinski's hit drove in Gorman from third base to give IVC a 11-10 lead. Irvine Valley did much of its damage on offense in the second inning, scoring seven runs to take a 7-2 lead.
Sophomore right fielder Drew Williams started it with a single to center. Freshman catcher Matt Hill walked and then freshman shortstop A.J. Cardinelli reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Sophomore center fielder Robert Dey hit a sacrifice fly for the first run.
Freshman left fielder Bryce Hara walked to load the bases again and a walk to Gorman brought in another run.
Freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan followed with an RBI single and then Guite walked to force in a run. Lesinski singled off of a relief pitcher to bring in one more run and make it 6-2.
IVC capped the scoring in the inning when Hill reached on an error to allow another run score. Cypress came back with four runs in the bottom of the second to pull within 7-6.
Irvine Valley added a run in the top of the third inning on a RBI double by Kaplan. The Lasers led, 9-7, heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, but couldn't close the game out.
Cypress scored two runs on a two-out, two-run home run by Jake Clark off of IVC sophomore pitcher Ryan Goodbrand. Goodbrand righted the wrong in the bottom of the 10th, getting out of a jam to nail down the win.
Cypress got two hits off Goodbrand and had the tying run on second base with two outs. But Goodbrand got leadoff hitter Joey Boney to pop up to first base to end the game.
Kaplan was 4 for 5 with two RBI and three runs scored to lead Irvine Valley. The hits lifted Kaplan's batting average to a team-high .484 on the year.
Lesinski was 3 for 6 with three RBI, Williams went 2 for 6 with two RBI, Gorman went 2 for 5 with one RBI and two runs and Guite was 2 for 4 with one RBI.
Cypress was paced by Clark, who went 3 for 6 with six RBI.
Sophomore Daniel Levine started on the mound for IVC. He went 5.0 innings and gave up seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits and five walks and had three strikeouts.
IVC plays again on Saturday at Saddleback at 12 p.m.          Box Score
 
3/9/2011  Baseball team ranked 17th in latest regional poll
The Irvine Valley baseball team, which was unranked to start the season, has moved into the top 20 in this week's California Community College Baseball Coaches Association Southern California Poll.
IVC received 88 points to be placed 17th. Irvine Valley was just four points back of No. 16 East LA. Pierce was 36 points behind the Lasers to take 18th.
The top 10 in the poll are Orange Coast, Rio Hondo, Cypress, LA Mission, Cuesta, Bakersfield, Chaffey, Palomar, Canyons and Glendale.
Irvine Valley has wins over three teams in the poll - No. 6 Bakersfield, No. 15 Southwestern and No. 18 Pierce - and the Lasers just lost a one-run game to No. 12 Riverside.
In all, seven of the eight teams from the Orange Empire Conference made the top 20 and Fullerton, which didn't, is just outside the top 20 in being listed as others. OCC is No. 1, Cypress is No. 3, Santa Ana is No. 11, Riverside is No. 12, IVC is No. 17, Saddleback is No. 19 and Golden West is No. 20.
Irvine Valley, which has a record of 9-7 overall and 0-3 in conference plays at Cypress on Thursday at 2 p.m.          So Cal Poll
 
3/8/2011  Irvine Valley drops conference game to Riverside
The Irvine Valley baseball team is still searching for its first win in Orange Empire Conference play after losing a wild 10-9 game to Riverside Tuesday afternoon at IVC. The two teams combined for nine runs in the first inning and made a total of eight errors in the contest.
Irvine Valley's record fell to 9-7 overall and 0-3 in conference. Riverside improved its record to 10-6 overall and 3-0 in conference.
Riverside scored five runs in the top of the first on five straight hits to open the game - highlighted by a three-run home run by David Kiriakos. Irvine Valley answered with four runs in the bottom of the first on four hits, a hit batter and three Riverside errors. All four runs were unearned.
The Lasers took a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on three hits. But both runs came home on balks called on Riverside reliever Brian Hopper.
The Tigers tied the game in the top of the fourth at 7-7 on a two-run home run by Chad Erikson after an IVC error with two outs kept the inning alive. The teams each scored two runs in the sixth inning to knot the score at 9-9. IVC's runs came on an RBI triple by freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan after a Riverside error allowed sophomroe center fielder Robert Dey to reach base to start the inning. Micah Gorman drove in Kaplan with a sacrifice fly to make it 9-9.
Riverside took the lead for good in the top of the ninth inning. A walk, sacrifice fly and infield single put runners on first and third. A fielder's choice groundout by Curtis Cassise brought in Michael Cast with the eventual game-winning run.
Riverside pitcher Kristopher Butler threw the final three innings in relief for the Tigers. He gave up just one hit and struck out two to earn the win and improve his record to 3-0 on the season.
Irvine Valley relief pitcher Brendan Cates took the loss to slip to 2-1 on the year. He went 2 2/3 innings and allowed one run on two hits and a walk. He had two strikeouts.
Riverside was led at the plate by Erikson, who went 4 for 6 with three RBI and three runs scored. Riverside starting pitcher Kyle McNutt lasted just 1.0 inning, giving up four runs (0 earned) on four hits and one walk. He had one strikeout.
Irvine Valley starting pitcher Cody Fitzgerald pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits with two walkls and two strikeouts.
At the plate for the Lasers, Kaplan was 3 for 4 with one RBI and two runs scored, freshman right fielder Brian Glynn went 2 for 4 with three RBI and one run and sophomore catcher Drew Williams and freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski were each 1 for 5 with one RBI and one run scored.
Irvine Valley plays again Thursday at Cypress for a conference game at 2 p.m.          Box Score
 
3/5/2011  Baseball team comes up short against Fullerton
Irvine Valley's baseball team got another brilliant starting pitching performance, but it wasn’t enough in a 2-1 loss to Fullerton on Saturday in an Orange Empire Conference game at IVC.
The loss dropped Irvine Valley's record to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in conference. Sophomore starting pitcher Ryan Goodbrand threw eight shutout innings.
But Hornet starter Christian Salinas and reliever Kevin Jurkatis matched Goodbrand through eight innings. Fullerton scored two runs in the top of the ninth - one off Goodbrand and one off IVC reliever Doug Drukenmiller - on two hits, a walk, a couple of stolen bases and an error.
Irvine Valley came back with a run in the bottom of the ninth on a double by freshman first baseman Sean Guite and then a RBI groundout by freshman left fielder Chris Poplawski, but the Lasers but couldn’t get the tying run across.
Goodbrand ended up taking the loss to drop his record to 1-2. He pitched 8 1/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Goodbrand's ERA stands at just 2.59 on the season and IVC’s team ERA dropped to 2.73.
But IVC managed just four hits in the game against Salinas (who had seven strikeouts), Jurkatis (who earned the win) and Danny Ossiginac (who got the save). 
Freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan, sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman, Guite and sophomore centerfielder Robert Dey had Irvine Valley's hits. Kaplan leads the team with a .434 batting average. Freshman outfielder Bryce Hara is next at .389.
Irvine Valley hosts Riverside in a conference game on Tuesday.          Box Score
 
3/3/2011  IVC drops conference opener at Santa Ana
The Irvine Valley baseball team had its three-game win streak halted and dropped its Orange Empire Conference opening game Thursday afternoon at Santa Ana.
Santa Ana scored eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning - all with two outs - on its way to an 11-3 win over visiting Irvine Valley.
The Lasers (9-5, 0-1) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Freshman shortstop A.J. Cardenalli hit a leadoff single before advancing to second on sophomore center fielder Robert Dey's sacrifice bunt. Scott Kaplan then drove in Cardenalli from second with an RBI-single for the first run of the game.
Dey advanced to third on sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman's double before scoring on a wild pitch to put the Lasers up 2-0.
The Dons (8-5, 1-0) got a run back in the fourth inning. Dylan Jones tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth inning for Santa Ana when he singled in Trevor Magno, who reached on a fielder's choice. The fifth inning was the first time in the game that the Dons were able to get more than one hit in an inning off Laser starting pitcher Daniel Levine.
Levine appeared to retake control of the game in the sixth inning as he got the first two outs on just six pitches. But Taylor Richardson sparked a Dons rally with a two-out single and a stolen base followed by a single by Adrian Garcia. Garcia then stole second base and an error on the play allowed Richardson to score from third, giving the Dons their first lead of the game at 3-2.
After Kyle Kuck was hit by a pitch, Magno singled to left field, scoring Garcia from second. Another Laser error allowed Kuck to advance to third and Magno to second. Andy Peterson followed with a two-run single through the middle of the infield, scoring Kuck and Magno to put the Dons up 6-2.
Jones drew a walk and Danny Recio reached on an error, allowing Peterson to score from second.
Recio was followed by Gary Apelian, who initially led the inning off, and he singled in Jones before Marcus Meraz doubled in Recio and Apelian to cap the scoring.
By the end of the inning, all nine Santa Ana starters reached base with all but Meraz scoring.
The two teams traded solo home runs in the seventh inning to make the score 11-3.
Kaplan hit Irvine Valley's in the top of the frame before Julian Barzilli hit a home run for the Dons in the bottom of the inning. It was Kaplan's first of the year.
Ben Burke (2-1) got the win for the Dons as he held the Lasers to three runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings pitched.
Levine (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season for IVC after allowing nine runs, four earned, on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Irvine Valley hosts Fullerton on Saturday at 12 p.m.          Box Score
 
2/28/2011  Fitzgerald, Irvine Valley shut out Santa BarbaraCody Fitzgerald
Thanks to sophomore pitcher Cody Fitzgerald, the Irvine Valley baseball team made it two straight wins over Santa Barbara City.
Fitzgerald threw a complete-game shutout and Irvine Valley defeated the Vaqueros, 2-0, on Monday afternoon in Santa Barbara. It was Fitzgerald's second complete-game shutout of the season and the fourth of the season for the team. 
It was also Irvine Valley's third victory in a row and fourth in its last five games.
The Lasers improved their record to 9-4 on the season. Fitzgerald gave up just two hits on Monday. He walked one and struck out eight in facing just three over the minimum (30 hitters) on the day.
"He is getting stronger and more confident as the season goes on," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said. "Today was the best he's thrown his changeup all year. He mixed his curve well and also spotted his fastball. He stuck to his plan and kept them off balance all game long."
Irvine Valley had just five hits of its own, but it was more than enough. The Lasers scored a run in the second and another in the fifth inning. Both were unearned.
With runners on second and third with one out in the second, freshman Brian Glynn hit a groundout to bring in the team's first run.
Then in the fifth, freshman first baseman Sean Guite walked with the bases loaded to make it a 2-0 game. Freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan, Guite, sophomore right fielder Drew Williams and sophomore catcher Anthony Almeida each had a hit for Irvine Valley.
The Lasers now have a couple of days off before starting Orange Empire Conference play at Santa Ana Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m.          Box Score
 
2/24/2011 Baseball team pulls one out over Santa Barbara City Cole Wilson
It is becoming a nice trend for the Irvine Valley baseball team. Get strong starting pitching and then find a way to score enough to win. The Lasers beat Santa Barbara City, 3-2, Thursday afternoon in a non-conference game just that way.
It was Irvine Valley's fourth one-run victory of the season and second in two days. The team defeated Southwestern, 3-2, on Wednesday. 
The victory Thursday over Santa Barbara, which was ranked 10th in the Southern California preseason poll, improved Irvine Valley's record to 8-4 overall. 
"The guys are really buying in and we are having success because of it," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said. "Once again today we got phenomenal starting pitching. That kept us in the game. And then we battled. This was a real battle out here today."
Santa Barbara actually took a 2-0 lead after the first two innings, getting a run in the first and another in the second against IVC starting pitcher Daniel Levine. The runs were the first earned given up by Levine this season. The sophomore right-hander was making his fourth start.
Levine found a groove after that and shut the Vaqueros down over the next five innings.
Irvine Valley scored a run in the bottom of the third off Santa Barbara starting pitcher Kylin Turnbull to make it 2-1. Sophomore catcher Anthony Almeida started the inning with a single. He was sacrificed to second by sophomore shortstop Cole Wilson.
Freshman center fielder Bryce Hara then singled to put runners on first and third. Freshman second Brendan Catesbaseman Scott Kaplan drove in the run with a fly out to center.
Santa Barbara looked like it might increase its lead in the top of the sixth after a single and a Irvine Valley error put runners on second and third with one out. But Levine got Joe Gonzalez to ground into a double play to end the threat.
Irvine Valley tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. Wilson walked and then Hara bunted to move the runner. But Turnbull, Santa Barbara's pitcher, didn't field the ball cleanly and then in rushing to get Hara at first base, threw the ball away.
IVC had runners on first and third. DJ Gunderson replaced Turnbull on the mound and was immediately called for a balk, which brought in Wilson with the tying run.
Irvine Valley turned to freshman Brendan Cates on the mound in the eighth and ninth innings. "And he did his job," Madole said. "He really grew up out there today. He showed what he can do."
Cates allowed just one walk and had three strikeouts over his two-inning stint. Irvine Valley won the game in the bottom of the ninth. Almeida reached on an error to start the frame. Sophomore Robert Dey came in to pinch run for Almeida. Wilson moved Dey to second with a sacrifice bunt.
And then Bryce Hara singled up the middle off of Gunderson and Dey beat the throw home to end it.
Cates picked up the win to improve his record to 2-0 on the year. Hara finished 3 for 4 with one RBI, freshman first baseman Sean Guite was 2 for 4 and freshman third baseman Nick Martin, Almeida and Wilson also had a hit each for Irvine Valley. Santa Barbara's record slipped to 3-7 overall.
Irvine Valley will play at Santa Barbara on Monday at 1 p.m.          Box Score
 
2/23/2011  Irvine Valley tops Southwestern behind GoodbrandRyan Goodbrand
Irvine Valley's baseball team bounced back from a disappointing loss to Los Angeles Mission on Tuesday with one of its best performances of the season on Wednesday.
Behind a complete-game effort by sophomore pitcher Ryan Goodbrand, the Lasers rallied to beat Southwestern, 3-2, at home.
The win improved Irvine Valley's record to 7-4 overall.
"It was a big, big win against a very good team," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said. "We lost, 3-2, to them last week so it was good to see our guys come back and get this one. They were all pretty fired up."
In the complete-game win, Goodbrand gave up 10 hits and two runs and had five strikeouts. "He made pitches when he had to and really battled," Madole said.
Southwestern scored the first run of the game in the top of the fourth on a solo home run by Hector Montes to left field. Irvine Valley tied the game in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman first baseman Sean Guite singled up the middle and then sophomore right fielder Drew Williams was hit by a pitch by Jaguar starter Justin Kruse. Freshman left fielder Chris Poplawski sacrificed both runners with a well placed bunt. Freshman designated hitter Brian Glynn then knocked in the run with a groundout to short. 
Kruse and Goodbrand traded scoreless frames for the next three innings. Southwestern took a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth on four hits. Pinch hitter Carlos Carriedo drove in the go-ahead run. But the damage could have been worse.
With the bases loaded and just one out, Goodbrand got Montes to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
And IVC carried that momentum to the plate in the bottom of the eighth. Freshman center fielder Bryce Hara singled up the middle.
Sophomore Robert Dey came in to pinch run for Hara and proceeded to steal second base. After an out, Dey also stole third. Sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman tied the game with a RBI single to center. Guite followed with a single.
And then Williams hit grounder through the left side of the infield to bring in Gorman for the game-winning run. Goodbrand set Southwestern down in order in the top of the ninth.
Gorman was 2 for 4 with one RBI, Guite went 2 for 3 and Hara, freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan, Poplawski and sophomore shortstop Cole Wilson each added a hit.
IVC plays again on Thursday, hosting Santa Barbara City at 2 p.m.          Box Score
 
2/22/2011  Baseball team loses late against Los Angeles Mission
The Irvine Valley baseball team gave up three runs in the top of the ninth inning and lost to Los Angeles Mission, 8-5, in a non-conference game on Tuesday at Irvine Valley.
The defeat dropped Irvine Valley's record to 6-4 on the season. Mission improved to 6-1. After falling behind, 3-0, after the top of the first inning, IVC scored a run in the bottom of the first and two more in the second inning to tie the game at 3-3.
Freshman right fielder Brian Glynn drove in both runs in the second with a single up the middle. LA Mission came back with two runs in the top of the fourth on two hits, one error and a hit batter. Both runs were unearned.
IVC battled back, however, with a run in the bottom of the sixth on a single to center by freshman left fielder Chris Poplawski. And Irvine Valley tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman singled and stole second. Sophomore catcher Drew Williams then sacrificed Gorman to third. Freshman first baseman Sean Guite then knocked in Gorman with a single up the middle. Guite stole second base. Poplawski then walked. But Irvine Valley hit into a double play to end the inning.
Mission put the game away with three runs in the top of the ninth. With one out, the Eagles got a single from Danny Vidales and a double by Tim Rowley to put runners on second and third. Chris Mott then doubled to drive in two runs. The third run of the inning later scored on a wild pitch.
IVC sophomore Cody Fitzgerald took the loss to drop his record to 2-1. He went 8 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits with six strikeouts.
Freshman Mickey Dunleavy pitched the final 2/3 off an inning and gave up one run on one hit with two hit batters. He had one strikeout.
Guite went 3 for 4 with one RBI, Poplawski was 2 for 3 with one RBI, Glynn went 2 for 4 with two RBI and freshman center fielder Bryce Hara and freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan each went 2 for 5.
Irvine Valley plays again on Wednesday, hosting Southwestern at 2 p.m. The Jaguars defeated Irvine Valley, 3-2, in 10 innings at Southwestern last week.          Box Score
 
2/18/2011  Baseball team holds on for win over BarstowAustin Alva
The Irvine Valley baseball team improved its record to 6-3 on the season with a 8-5 victory over Barstow on a rainy day at IVC on Friday afternoon.
Barstow's record dropped to 6-3. IVC got another very strong pitching performance in the victory. Sophomore lefty Austin Alva went seven innings and allowed just one unearned run to pick up his first win of the season.
He gave up three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. IVC's offense gave Alva plenty of support. The Lasers scored a single run in the bottom of the first and second innings to grab a 2-0 lead and then broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. 
Irvine Valley led, 8-1, heading into the top of the ninth inning when Barstow scrapped for four runs.  Freshman Mickey Dunleavy entered in relief in the ninth and stopped the bleeding, recording the final three outs.
IVC freshman reliever Brendan Cates threw a scoreless inning earlier for Irvine Valley.
For Irvine Valley at the plate, freshman rightfielder Brian Glynn went 4 for 4 with three runs scored. Freshman center fielder Bryce Hara was 2 for 3 with three runs and one RBI, freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan went 2 for 2 with two RBI and sophomore designated hitter Daniel Urbina was 1 for 4 with three RBI.
Sophomore catcher Drew Williams and freshman leftfielder Chris Poplawski each also drove in a run for the Lasers.
IVC out-hit Barstow, 12-7, in the contest. Irvine Valley plays again next Tuesday, hosting LA Mission at 2 p.m.
Irvine Valley hosts Southwestern next Wednesday and Santa Barbara next Thursday.          Box Score
 
2/17/2011  Irvine Valley edged at SouthwesternBryce Hara
Irvine Valley's baseball team battled, but fell 3-2, in 10 innings at Southwestern in a non-conference game in Chula Vista on Thursday. 
"It was a great game, a very competitive game," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said. "I was proud of the way we played. The guys fought all the way to the end. We just came up a little short."
Irvine Valley got another impressive starting pitching performance from sophomore Daniel Levine. Levine went seven strong innings.
He gave up two runs (which both came after a catcher's interference call in the second inning). Levine allowed six hits and two walks and recorded 11 strikeouts.
Irvine Valley scored a run in the seventh on a two-out RBI double by freshman outfielder Chris Poplawski. Poplawski also figured in Irvine Valley's second run in the top of the ninth to tie the game. He doubled and later pinch-runner Robert Dey scored on a hit by freshman outfielder Bryce Hara.
Southwestern scored the winning run in the 10th on three hits and a walk off of IVC sophomore Ryan Goodbrand. Goodbrand pitched solid eighth and ninth innings to keep Irvine Valley alive. Irvine Valley freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan, who leads the team in hitting, went 3 for 4. Hara was 2 for 5 and Poplawski and freshman shortstop A.J. Cardenalli each went 2 for 3.
"We played really good baseball," Madole said. "We didn't make any errors and had got that clutch run in the ninth to tie it. I think we also learned some things from this that will help us as we move along in the season."
Irvine Valley was scheduled to play at Santa Barbara on Friday, but that game has been postponed until Feb. 28.
IVC will instead host Barstow at 2 p.m. Irvine Valley was originally scheduled to play Barstow on Saturday, but the game is being moved up a day because of weather concerns.          Box Score
 
2/15/2011  Irvine Valley records another shutout, beats Pasadena City, 1-0Cody Fitzgerald
The Irvine Valley baseball team earned its third shutout this young season with a 1-0 victory over Pasadena City Tuesday afternoon at Irvine Valley.
It was actually the third shutout in the last four games for IVC.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 5-2 overall. It was the second win of the season for left-hander Cody Fitzgerald. The sophomore gave up just five hits. He hit one batter and had four strikeouts in the shutout victory. It was the second time this season IVC has recorded a shutout without giving up a walk.
"That is impressive," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said of the feat. "Cody was great today. He had everything working. All three pitches were effective. It is another good win for the team. Something to keep building on."
Both teams were scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning. Pasadena City starting pitcher David Whitaker also did a good job of keeping IVC hitters off balance most of the afternoon. In the seventh, IVC freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski singled to center.
Freshman first baseman Sean Guite bunted Lesinski to second. Sophomore catcher Drew Williams then struck out, but the ball got by the catcher so he was safe at first and Lesinski moved to third base. Freshman right fielder Brian Glynn then laid down a bunt that Pasadena City couldn't field cleanly, allowing Lesinski to score the lone run of the game.
The Lancers' best chance to score came in  the top of the eighth after an IVC error and a bunt single put runners on first and second with no outs.
Fitzgerald then helped his own cause, fielding a sacrifice bunt attempt by Kyle Wilkinson and firing to third base to get the lead runner. After a sacrifice put runners on second and third with two outs, Fitzgerald got Jason Clark to foul out to end the inning.
Fitzgerald struck out the final two batters in the ninth inning to end the game.
For IVC on offense, freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan went 2 for 4. Sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman, Lesinski and Glynn each had a hit for the Lasers.
Irvine Valley plays again on Thursday, traveling to take on Southwestern at 2 p.m.          Box Score
 
2/12/2011  Irvine Valley falls to El Camino, 10-5
Errors doomed the Irvine Valley baseball team on Saturday afternoon against El Camino.
After playing solid defense in a 3-0 victory over El Camino on Thursday, IVC made seven errors in a 10-5 loss to the Warriors at Irvine Valley.
Three of those errors came in the top of the first inning to help El Camino jump out to a 4-0 lead that it would never relinquish. El Camino went ahead 5-0 with a single run in the top of the third. Irvine Valley scored two runs in the bottom of the third on a two-run double by sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman to get within three runs.
But El Camino scored two more runs in the top of the sixth in part due to three Irvine Valley errors to go ahead, 7-2. IVC freshman righthander Mickey Dunleavy took the loss. He went 2 1/3 innings and gave up five runs (one earned) on three hits with four walks, one hit batter and one strikeout. Sophomore Ryan Goodbrand followed with 5 2/3 innings of relief.
He allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts. Freshman Doug Drukenmiller threw the final inning and allowed two runs on four hits with one strikeout.
Gorman went 2 for 5 with two RBI for the Lasers. He was the only Irvine Valley player with more than one hit.
Freshman shortstop A.J. Cardinelli was 1 for 3 with a run scored, freshman first baseman Sean Guite was 1 for 5 with one RBI and sophomore Daniel Urbina, who pinch hit in the game, drove in a run for Irvine Valley.
The Lasers' record slipped to 4-2 overall. El Camino picked up its first win of the season and improved to 1-4.
Cole Trezek was 3 for 6 with one RBI, Peter Ives went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI, Anthony Graham was 2 for 4 and Jeff Dorman went 2 for 5 with one RBI for the Warriors, who had 14 hits on the day.
Josh Mingura picked up the win on the mound, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Irvine Valley plays again on Tuesday, hosting Pasadena City at 2 p.m.          Box Score                   
 
2/10/2011  Levine leads Lasers to shutout victoryDaniel Levine over El Camino
Irvine Valley sophomore righthander Daniel Levine picked up his second win in as many tries Thursday afternoon. And it was a big one.
Levine threw a seven-hit shutout to lead Irvine Valley to a 3-0 win over El Camino, which was ranked No. 2 in the Southern California preseason poll.
The Warriors (0-4 now this year) reached the state final four last season and return several of the stars from that team. But Levine shut them all down. He was in command all day. Levine didn't record a strikeout, but he didn't give up a walk either. 
"He put us on his back," IVC Coach Kent Madole said. "He pitched great, but he also trusted his defense and those guys made plays behind him."
Irvine Valley scored two runs in the third and added a run in the sixth against El Camino starting pitcher Andrew Pulido. Only the run in the sixth was earned, but all three were helped by errors. 
The Lasers cashed in an error by El Camino in the third to score the two runs. Freshman left fielder Bryce Hara walked to lead off the bottom of the third.
Scott KaplanFreshman second baseman Scott Kaplan then rolled a bunt down the line for a hit. Two batters later, designated hitter Josh Lesinski hit a grounder to third base. Chris Vopinek came up with the ball, but then threw wide of first, allowing Hara to score and Kaplan to move to third.
Freshman first baseman Sean Guite then knocked in Kaplan with a grounder to second. IVC added a run in the sixth. Sophomore catcher Anthony Almeida walked and moved to second on a balk. He was sacrificed to third on a bunt by sophomore shortstop Cole Wilson. And Almeida scored on a fielding error by Vopinek.
Kaplan finished the day 3 for 5 with a run scored to lead Irvine Valley's offensive attack. Almeida was 2 for 3 with a run scored and Hara went 1 for 3 with a run scored.
"We found a way to win," Madole said. "And it was a solid win. That is a good team over there. Right now we are taking what we know and we are doing the best we can with it."
IVC, which improved its record to 4-1, takes on El Camino again on Saturday at Irvine Valley at noon.          Box Score
 
2/8/2011  Irvine Valley shuts out Victor Valley in home opener
The Irvine Valley baseball team won its home opener in impressive fashion Tuesday afternoon, shutting out Victory Valley, 10-0, in a non-conference game.
"It wasn't flashy, but we were steady and got the job done," IVC Coach Kent Madole said. "We made the plays that we had to and got solid pitching."
Sophomore left-hander Cody Fitzgerald went 6 1/3 innings, allowing just three hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Freshmen Bryan Castelli and Doug Drukenmiller closed the game out with Castelli throwing 1 2/3 innings and Drukenmiller tossing an inning of scoreless relief. Irvine Valley players continued to swing hot bats.
The team scored 10 or more runs for the third time in four games this season to improve its record to 3-1. The Lasers scored one run in the second and then broke the game open with four runs in the third. In the third, freshman left fielder Bryce Hara singled to open the inning.
Then freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan hit a RBI double. Sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman followed with a RBI single. Two batters later, freshman first baseman Sean Guite hit a run-scoring single and then sophomore catcher Drew Williams capped the scoring with a RBI double. IVC added a run in the fourth and two runs each in the fifth and sixth.
For the game, Guite was 3 for 3 with three runs scored and one RBI. Hara went 3 for 4 with two runs, Gorman was 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI and Williams went 1 for 4 with two RBI for Irvine Valley.
Gorman also made the play of the game defensively for Irvine Valley from his third base position in the top of the fifth inning. He made a diving stop on a hard hit ball to his left to save two runs. Gorman got up and threw out the Victor Valley runner at first base for the third out of the inning.
IVC plays again on Thursday at home, hosting El Camino at 2 p.m.          Box Score
 
2/4/2011  IVC splits two games on Friday in tourney
Playing three games in two days finally caught up with the Irvine Valley baseball team Friday night in the Bakersfield Tournament.
After improving their record to 2-0 to start the year Friday morning with a come-from-behind 9-8 victory over 16th-ranked LA Pierce, the Lasers fell to Sequoias a few hours later, 13-7.
"Hey, 2-1, after the first weekend isn't bad," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said. "It's tough to play three games in less than 24 hours. We still had a lot of positives this week."
IVC won its first game on Friday late, scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth, and freshman Brendan Cates picked up the victory with a scoreless inning of relief pitching.
Sophomore third baseman Micah Gorman went 3 for 4 with two RBI, freshman outfielder Bryce Hara was 2 for 4 with three runs scored, freshman designated hitter Josh Lesinski was 2 for 5 with one RBI and sophomore Drew Williams drove in two runs, including the game-winner on a sacrifice bunt in the eighth. 
The second game was tied, 5-5, when Sequoias scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to break it open. Freshman Austen Zimarik took the loss for Irvine Valley. 
The Lasers still finished with 14 hits. Gorman was 3 for 5 with two RBI, Lesinski and Williams both went 2 for 4 with one RBI and Hara, freshman second baseman Scott Kaplan and freshman left fielder Chris Poplawski also each had two hits for Irvine Valley.
IVC will get back at it on Tuesday when it plays its first home game of the season. The Lasers host Victor Valley at 2 p.m.          LAP Box Score     COS Box Score
 
2/3/2011  Baseball team starts with impressive win over Bakersfield
If the 2011 season opener was as any indication, the Irvine Valley baseball team is going to have a pretty successful year. IVC opened with a dominating 14-1 win over Bakersfield Thursday night in the Bakersfield Tournament.
Bakersfield was ranked 17th in the Southern California preseason poll. Irvine Valley won behind the strong pitching of sophomore Daniel Levine and freshman Mickey Dunleavy. Levine went 6 2/3 strong innings to pick up the win.
He gave up three hits and one unearned run and finished with seven strikeouts.
"He had all three of his pitches working and really worked ahead in the count effectively," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said. "He kept their hitters off balance all night."
Dunleavy threw the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a run. He gave up one hit and one walk with one strikeout.
"For a guy making his first college appearance, he was really composed," Madole said. "That was great to see. He came in and did his job."
Irvine Valley's offense put the game out of reach early, scoring five runs in the first inning and then three more in the third. Freshman Josh Lesinski had the big hit to get IVC going in the first. He drilled the first pitch he saw into left field for a RBI single.
The Lasers also scored three runs in the sixth and three runs in the eighth. IVC was up, 11-0, before Bakersfield got on the board. Lesinski went 2 for 4 with one RBI, freshman Bryce Hara was 2 for 4 with a walk and two RBI, freshman first baseman Sean Guite was 2 for 5 with three runs, freshman Scott Kaplan went 1 for 1 with four walks, sophomore catcher Anthony Almeida was 1 for 3 with three RBI and sophomore Robert Dey went 1 for 3 with two hit by pitches.
Dey's hit came on a two-strike drag bunt that brought in a run.
"It was a lot of fun," Madole said of the team's win. "The guys played really well and very hard. Now we have to turn around and try to do it again."
IVC continues in the Bakersfield Tournament with two games on Friday. The team plays LA Pierce at 11 a.m. and College of the Sequoias at 3 p.m.           Box Score