Lancaster Powered by Ortiz

If there was an unidentified blip on the radar screen at Edwards Air Force Base on Friday, have no fear. It was only a baseball sent into orbit by Art Ortiz of Lancaster High.

The ball went over the scoreboard at Quartz Hill High and landed deep in the parking lot for Ortiz’s region-leading seventh home run during Lancaster’s 14-3 Golden League victory over the Rebels in a game stopped after five innings because of the 10-run rule.

Ortiz also doubled and singled to raise his batting average to .559 (19 for 34) and help Lancaster (9-2-1, 5-0 in league play) take sole possession of first place in the Golden League ahead of Quartz Hill (7-4, 4-1).

“Art has been on fire all season,� said pitcher Jordy Carlon, who hit a three-run home run and two singles.

Lancaster finished with 13 hits, including two doubles and a single by catcher Jason Anderson.

Carlon pitched 3 1/3 innings before taking himself out after feeling pain in his shoulder. He has been suffering from tendinitis but said he should be fine.

Ortiz, a senior transfer from Palmdale who did not play last season because of academic ineligibility, received so much respect from Quartz Hill that he was given an intentional walk in the fifth inning while the Eagles led, 14-3.