Breakers finish up at Lions Tourney

A break from the Orange Coast League schedule might have been just what the doctor ordered for the Laguna Beach High baseball team.

Sure, the Breakers had to use precious spring break days playing in the Anaheim Lions Tournament. But they got a bit of their mojo back in the tournament, finishing with a 3-2 record after topping Western High, 10-2, on Wednesday.

“We played very well together as a group over the week,” Coach Jeff Sears said. “I think we learned how to be accountable for each other, and I think they learned who they can lean on. They can lean on everybody.

“It’s always a good experience for us to gauge where we’re at when we step outside our little bubble. We played hard, and we competed.”

The Breakers (11-7) started off with a split Saturday, falling to Anaheim, 10-7, before coming back for a 4-2 win over Tustin.

Junior Sawyer Pierce had a strong day on the mound in the latter game, pitching a complete game. He allowed two runs and six hits, striking out three. The Breakers were also helped by a solo homer from junior Chris Paul.

“Sawyer pitched a gem,” Sears said. “He flat-out just pitched. It’s a tribute to him throwing strikes and us making plays behind him.”

The Breakers returned to play Tuesday, losing to Valencia, 7-3, before coming back for a 7-6 win over Buena Park. Senior Mike Maxsenti earned the win and Sears said junior Jake Herbert also pitched well.

Offensively, Austin Paxson, Casey Miller, Maxsenti and Erik Peruzzi each had two hits.

In Wednesday’s victory over Western, Paul was three for four with three runs batted in, and he also got the win on the mound. Miller was two for three and Alex Iannotti had a two-RBI double.

Paul allowed just one earned run on three hits, striking out six.

Laguna Beach returns to league play Tuesday at home against Calvary Chapel, a team that embarrassed the Breakers a bit in a 15-10 loss March 23. The Breakers will be wearing camouflage uniforms Tuesday in honor of the armed forces veterans.

Calvary Chapel and Estancia are both 3-1 in league, with Costa Mesa and Laguna a game back with 2-2 records.

Laguna also appears on pace to set the school single-season wins record. The record, set in 2007, currently stands at 15 wins. Laguna won 14 games in each of Sears’ first two seasons.