Baseball: El Toro’s Arenado puts on a show

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Arizona State-bound shortstop Nolan Arenado of Lake Forest El Toro was asked before Wednesday’s National Classic semifinal by Coach Mike Gonzales if he could ‘pitch an inning or two’ because the Chargers were running out of pitchers.

All Arenado did was throw a complete-game three-hitter, striking out seven, as El Toro (15-2) defeated Wellington (Fla.) Palm Beach Central, 10-1, earning a spot in Thursday’s 7 p.m. championship game at Cal State Fullerton.

‘I guess he thought I said, one, two or seven innings,’ Gonzales said. ‘He did a phenomenal job.’

Added Arenado: ‘I felt great. I wanted this for my teammates.’

Arenado had not thrown a single pitch this season. He got help from Chris Manning, who hit a grand slam in the third inning over the right-field fence.

-- Eric Sondheimer