La Quinta Extends Win Streak to 21, Advances to Final

La Quinta won twice Wednesday in the Santa Ana Elks baseball tournament to advance to the championship game and extend its school-record winning streak to 21.

Orange County’s third-ranked team defeated Santa Cruz, 13-1, in the first game, then beat Covina Charter Oak, 7-3, in the semifinal. La Quinta plays Diamond Bar in today’s 2:30 p.m. championship game.

With the two victories Wednesday, La Quinta eclipsed the mark established by the 1988 Aztec squad, which won 20 straight games.

Jim Garvey (8-0), a senior right-hander, beat Santa Cruz in the opener, which was called after five innings. Battery-mate Arnulfo Arroyo hit his fourth home run.

La Quinta used five hits to score four first-inning runs in the semifinal as freshman Ian Kennedy (7-0) earned the victory. Tom Zieglowsky had three hits and pitched the seventh to earn his seventh save.

In other tournament games:

Garden Grove 6, Westminster 4--Joe Harkey hit a home run in the first and another in the third for Garden Grove (8-11) in a consolation game.

Santiago 1, El Modena 0--Jorge Avalos singled to center, scoring Rene Rangal in the sixth for Santiago (10-8).

At the Adidas Invitational in Las Vegas:

El Toro 4, Los Angeles Grant 1--Eric Walsh hit a two-run home run in the fifth and Grant Plumley added a run-scoring triple for El Toro (11-8-1) in a consolation game.

In the third-place game of the Coachella Valley tournament:

Dana Hills 5, Ocean View 2--Geoff Overstreet drove in Brent Petre with a single in the top of the fifth to break a 2-2 tie for Dana Hills (7-12-1). Jeremy Pegan gave up three hits, struck out five to earn his first victory for the Dolphins.

In semifinals of the Florida Sunshine National Classic:

Foothill 9, Sarasota (Fla.) 3--Aaron Swick went the distance to pick up the victory as Foothill (11-8), scored seven runs in the first inning to advance to the championship game. Kyle Sapak and Brett Twomey both had two hits and two RBIs for the Knights.

In the National Classic:

Cooper City High, Fla. 3, No. 2 Fountain Valley 2--Sophomore Josh Bartusik hit a two-run home run in the first inning for Fountain Valley (14-4) in a quarterfinal game. Pitcher Justin Fortugno (2-1) struck out eight and gave up three runs on two hits for the Barons.

In the Pomona Elks Tournament:

No. 1 Villa Park 10, Silverado 0 (6, mercy)--Erik Averill, a sophomore left-hander struck out six in three innings, while teammate Junior Qunitana hit his second home run and knocked in three runs. Villa Park (16-1) will play Hesperia in a second-round game today at Pomona.

In the Pride of the Coast Tournament:

Mission Viejo 4, Santa Fe Springs Sante Fe 1--Billy Hart hit a home run in the sixth inning, and John Hudgins pitched a three-hitter, striking out 15 to lead the Diablos (10-6) in a second-round game at Corona del Mar High.

San Clemente 5, Corona del Mar 4--Ryan Tellam’s sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth inning scored Steve Schroer to give the Tritons a victory in the semifinals. Schroer (3-4) pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts and two walks.

In the Empire League:

No. 8 Cypress 6, Kennedy 3--Sean Zarate hit a two-run double in the third inning to put host Cypress (12-5, 7-3) ahead, 4-2. Teammate Scott Moore had three hits and drove in two runs. Cypress took over first place in the Empire League from Kennedy (10-6-1, 6-3-1).

Katella 2, Loara 1--Eric Echavarria singled in the tying run in the fifth inning and the host Knights (8-9, 4-6) took the lead on a fielder’s-choice grounder at Boysen Park. Darrin Sack (5-2) earned the victory and Jon Lorenzen picked up his second save. Cubby Rincon took the loss for Loara (9-6, 5-4-1).

In the Freeway League:

Troy 3, La Habra 1--Jon Salazar pitched a three-hitter for his first victory of the year for host Troy (5-12, 3-5). Rauly Gutierriz had two hits and scored a run for the Warriors.

Sonora 6, Buena Park 0--Host Sonora (12-7, 4-4) scored all six runs in the fifth inning, with Jeff Padgett’s line single to left driving in the run that broke a scoreless tie. Buena Parks is 11-6, 6-2.

Sunny Hills 3, Fullerton 2 (8)--Ron Skyberg pitched a complete game and drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Skyberg, who had seven strikeouts, finished with two doubles and scored a run.

In the Orange League:

No. 9 Valencia 12, Magnolia 4--Wes Helman hit a grand slam and had five RBIs and Matt Reese pitched a complete game, allowing two earned runs and striking out 10, for host Valencia (12-4, 8-2).

Brea Olinda 8, Savanna 5--Erik Staack had a home run, two singles and three RBIs for visiting Brea Olinda (10-7, 7-3).

Western 9, Anaheim 3--Jason Zollan struck out seven and gave up two earned runs in pitching a complete game victory for visiting Western (7-8, 5-4). Andre Granda had two hits, scored two runs and drove in a run for the Pioneers.

In the Serra League:

No. 10 Mater Dei 13, Servite 1--Josh Hansen hit a three-run home run for the Monarchs (12-6, 5-2) and Brandon Espinosa pitched a one-hitter, striking out 10 in five innings, at Mater Dei.

Servite’s Pat Breen had the only hit off Espinosa, a bases-empty home run in the fourth.