PREP BASEBALL : Century League : Santa Ana Takes Over First Place by Keeping Up Pressure on Foothill

Streaking Santa Ana High School defeated Foothill, 12-8, in a Century League baseball game Friday to complete a two-game sweep of the Knights this week and move into sole possession of first place.

The victory gives Santa Ana a one-game lead with two to play next week. The Saints (14-9, 9-4) can clinch at least a tie for the championship by winning one of their two remaining games against El Modena. Foothill (13-10, 8-5), which was leading the league before it lost to Santa Ana twice this week, is tied with Canyon for second place.

“We have been hitting the ball hard and early,” said Bill Ross, Santa Ana coach. “This ballclub has had a great two weeks averaging over 10 runs a game.”

Combing good pitching with timely hitting, the Saints have swept Canyon and Foothill, scoring 43 runs in their past four games. On Tuesday, George Carachure threw a six-hitter against Foothill and on Friday, right-hander Bobby Reimers (8-3) allowed only five hits in the victory.

Santa Ana sent nine hitters to the plate in the first and third innings against Foothill starter Mike Higgins, who was having control problems. Higgins, a senior right-hander, allowed eight runs in 2 innings. He walked five and struck out four.

Left-hander Tom Adams came on in relief and pitched well until the fifth, when he allowed two-run homers to Oscar Luna and Jason Harned.

Foothill scored two runs in the third and six in the seventh to make the game close. Ross pulled Reimers in the seventh in favor of Adam Charez, who gave up four runs on three hits and one walk. Reimers re-entered the game and gave up two more runs before he stopped the Knights to end the game.

Luna led Santa Ana’s nine-hit attack with three hits and five RBIs. Paul Thornton had two hits and three RBIs for Foothill.

In other Century League games:

Canyon 8, El Modena 7 (11 innings)--In the 11th inning at El Modena, John Philbert led off with a triple and, one out later, scored on a triple by Scott Myers to give Canyon (15-8, 8-5) the victory. John Cummings (6-3) pitched five innings, striking out 10, for the victory. Canyon’s Chris Rodwrick had three RBIs. Matt Neubrand had three hits for El Modena (7-13, 5-8).

Villa Park 5, Santa Ana Valley 4--Jerry Aschoff threw a four-hitter, striking out seven, to lead host Villa Park (13-11, 7-6). John Watrous had two hits and two RBIs and Chris Johnson had two hits and one RBI for Villa Park (13-11, 7-6). Santa Ana Valley is 3-18 and 2-11.