Baseball team blanks LA Valley
Feb 13, 2009
The Irvine Valley baseball team posted its first shutout of the season on Friday.
The Lasers blanked Los Angeles Valley, 4-0, behind a strong pitching performance from sophomore left-hander Jared Haller.
Haller, who was a all-Orange Empire Conference player last season, had struggled at times early this year.
His ERA going into the game with LA Valley was 8.44 in three appearances.
But Haller was effective on Friday.
He threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up just four hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
"It was great to see him get back on track," IVC Coach Kent Madole said.
Haller was backed up by relievers Andrew Jimenez, Ryan Aguera and Gary Gerhardt.
Gerhardt came in with the one out and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning and got LA Valley's Eddie Urquiza to hit into a game-ending double play.
Gerhardt picked up his third save of the season.
Irvine Valley scored single runs in the bottom of the second and third innings to get out in front.
In the second, sophomore second baseman Sean Williams singled through the right side. Two batters later sophomore catcher Connor Rhoads was hit by a pitch. Williams later scored on a play where he stole third and then pinch runner Colton Hamill was thrown out stealing second. Williams took home when Hamill was caught in a run down.
In the third, freshman third baseman Atnony Gutierrez singled to lead off the inning and later scored on a single by sophomore first baseman Jon Saldana.
IVC increased its lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. A double by sophomore shortstop Vince Hungerford put runners on second and third.
With two outs, sophomore left fielder Paul Sandoval singled to left field to drive in both runners and give IVC a 4-0 lead.
On the day, Hungerford was 2 for 3 and Williams went 2 for 4.
"It wasn't our best game offensively," Madole said. "But we did what we had to to get the victory."
Weather permitting, Irvine Valley hosts Victor Valley on Saturday at 11 a.m.