SEA VIEW LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Tustin Takes Third Straight League Title

Tustin High School’s baseball team earned its third consecutive Sea View League title, clinching it Friday with senior savvy.

Coach Vince Brown started nine seniors in the final regular-season home game, and all 11 seniors played in the Tillers’ 2-1 victory over visiting Newport Harbor (9-11, 7-6 in league).

The Tillers won despite getting only three hits off right-hander Greg Nielsen.

“Their pitcher did a good job of keeping us off balance,” Brown said. “It was sort of pathetic at times the way we swung the bats.”

Brown knew the Tillers (16-6, 11-2) would lack punch with the senior lineup. Three of Tustin’s top juniors--shortstop Zack Elliott (.455), right fielder Brett Hardy (.409) and first baseman Nick Cantu (.386)--sat out in order to give the seniors a fond farewell.

The Tillers’ only hit through five innings was a line-drive single in the second by reserve right fielder Brian Belsito.

Tustin finally got to Nielsen in the sixth. Casey Jackson led off with a bunt single and moved to second when Brian Nolan walked.

With one out, Ben Strack singled to right. The throw from right fielder Matt Palaferri arrived at the plate well before Jackson, but catcher Brian Rogers lost the ball attempting a swipe tag, and Jackson scored on the error.

On the next play, Josh Hylton hit what should have been a double-play grounder, but second baseman Aaron McKown botched the pivot and Nolan scored.

Chris Cunningham (2-0), a senior right-hander, pitched 6 2/3 innings in only his third start of the season. Cunningham started in place of ace Bill Courtney (6-2), who is sidelined for the rest of the season with an elbow injury.

In other league games:

Corona del Mar 14, University 7--Brady Lamar hit a two-run homer and a bases-empty home run, added a single and stole his 28th base of the season for visiting Corona del Mar (11-9-1, 7-5-1). Todd Kehrli and Greg Prough each had three hits.

Woodbridge 3, Saddleback 2 (eight innings)--Justin Grizon scored the winning run and Tim Curren hit a triple in the bottom of the eighth to knock in Justin Grizon with the winning run at Woodbridge (5-12, 3-10). Damon Mazzano had two hits for Woodbridge.