Aztecs’ Title Defense Begins With Easy Win

Esperanza had less trouble than expected with La Puente Nogales in the opening round of the Southern Section Division I baseball playoffs.

The Aztecs used a seven-run second and a six-run fourth for a 13-3 victory over the visiting Nobles Friday. The game was called after five innings because of the mercy rule.

With its eighth consecutive victory, Esperanza (18-7-1) moves on to face Servite Tuesday. Nogales finishes its season 18-9-1.

“I think we’re finding our stride,� said Esperanza Coach Mike Curran, who had to replace 17 seniors off last season’s team that won the Southern Section title.

“There’s no substitute for experience. But since we had a little chewing-out session after a win over Huntington Beach when we didn’t think they played that well, the kids have really responded and gotten on roll.�

Esperanza spotted Nogales the 2-0 lead it took in the first on an RBI double by Lawrence Alarez and a run-scoring single by J.R. Mora, who had three of his team’s five hits.

The Aztecs took control in the second, sending 12 to the plate and bringing home seven on eight hits.

Nogales starter Lionel Talavera (3-2), had difficulty throwing his curve for a strike, and the Esperanza batters waited for fastballs they could drive.

“They have a very good team and a great coach over there,� Nogales Coach John Romano said of Esperanza. “I’ve got over 300 career wins, and I can’t remember the last time we had our butts kicked like today.�

Relievers Tony Tartidia--who picked up for Talavera in the second--and Ricky Sandoval didn’t fare much better, as the Aztecs totaled 15 hits.

Outfielder Jarrod Schuster was one of five Aztecs with two hits, and his three-run homer off Tartidia with one out in the fourth essentially put the game out of reach.

Schuster thinks Esperanza is good enough to repeat.

“We had tons of talent last year that left, but we still have tons of talent left over,� Schuster said. “We have the mental state and the heart to win the championship. It’s all about the heart.�

In other Division I games:

Mater Dei 11, Ayala 4--Two-run home runs by Pat Manning and Josh Hansen in the fourth inning helped Mater Dei (22-4) to an first-round victory. Catcher Brett Kay doubled twice and drove in a run and Nick Lovato got the win. Mater Dei will play Diamond Bar in the second round.

Servite 6, El Toro 5--John Sothern threw out what would have been the tying run at the plate to end the game for the host Friars (20-6-1). Sothern had two hits and one RBI and Dave Fischer had three RBIs. Brian Wolfe (11-1) had nine strikeouts. El Toro finishes 18-8.

Long Beach Millikan 2, Fountain Valley 1--Scott Baltes’ sacrifice fly scored C.J. Wilson, who led off the fifth inning with a triple, with Fountain Valley’s only run of the game to make it 2-1. The Barons finish 16-12.