Eagles start early, rally late for win

COSTA MESA ? Evan VanGeem pitched a complete game and hit a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift Estancia High to a 6-5 baseball victory over JSerra in pool play at the Newport Elks Tournament on Saturday.

Van Geem, who allowed five hits and three earned runs, overcame five Estancia errors to pick up the win in the Eagles’ season opener.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Gavin Montague and Zack Oliver singled and Ryan Redding was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs before VanGeem’s two-run single.

The Eagles scored three runs in the first inning off JSerra ace Corey Kohnke, who was 10-0 with 94 strikeouts last year as a sophomore.

Kane Curran (three RBIs) clubbed a two-run double and then scored on an error during Estancia’s three-run first inning.

Estancia (1-0) plays host to Whittier Christian in the second round of Costa Mesa Division pool play in the Newport Elks Tournament on Monday at 3 p.m.