SOUTH COAST LEAGUE BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Anderson’s Three-Hitter Paces Dana Hills

Although the Dana Hills High School baseball team took control of the South Coast League race Wednesday, the Dolphins aren’t too comfortable with their one-game lead over El Toro.

Dan Anderson pitched a three-hitter as the Dolphins, ranked seventh in Orange County, beat the Chargers, 6-1, at El Toro.

The victory gave the Dolphins (15-6, 7-3 in league) sole possession of first place. They play second-place El Toro (12-10, 6-4) again Friday at Dana Hills.

Dana Hills gave Anderson a 4-0 lead in the second inning, and added single runs in the third and fourth innings.

The Dolphins pounded El Toro starter Rob Johnson for six runs on seven hits in four innings. Johnson (4-3) struck out two and walked two before Pete Robertson relieved in the fifth.

Johnson struggled in the second inning. Dana Hills’ Rod Currier hit a two-run homer and Al Sukut and Chris Morgan each doubled and drove in a run.

“We stung the ball,” Dana Hills Coach Bob Canary said. “We got ourselves a little bit of a cushion and we put ourselves in pretty good position.”

Anderson (3-1) did the rest, striking out four and walking two for the complete-game victory.

Anderson, a right-hander, is 3-0 since Canary moved him from the bullpen to the starting rotation. He pitched a one-hitter against Mission Viejo in his last outing.

“Dan has done a good job working his way into a starting role and proving himself,” Canary said.

Anderson got some help from several great plays from his infield, including a diving grab by second-baseman Scott Holty of Jason Bailey’s line drive in the third inning.

“When we get pitching and great plays in the field like that,” Canary said, “we’ll do well.”

El Toro scored its only run in the sixth. Sal Schrachter led off with a single to right, moved to second on David Owens’ groundout and to third on a passed ball. Schrachter scored on Chad Hoelker’s groundout to the shortstop.

El Toro will have a chance to climb back into the league race Friday. The pitching matchup will be Dana Hills senior Jon Spaulding against El Toro sophomore Marc Ver Wayne. Spaulding (7-0) threw a perfect game in his last outing, a 6-0 victory over Mission Viejo.

In other South Coast League games:

Capistrano Valley 4, Mission Viejo 1--Travis Burgus pitched a three-hitter, struck out 11 and walked five for host Capistrano Valley (11-8-1, 4-5-1).

Jonathan Petke had two hits and scored and Scott Patton homered in the sixth inning for Capistrano Valley.

San Clemente 3, Irvine 0--Ken Dolan (5-1) pitched a three-hitter, struck out 12 and walked two for host San Clemente. Dolan had a no-hitter through five innings. Shane Shanafelt hit a two-run home run in the first inning and Justin Greco hit a home run in the sixth for host San Clemente (10-10, 5-5).