Strand’s Three Home Runs Lead El Toro

Mike Strand hit three home runs Thursday to help El Toro clinch third place in the Sea View League with an 18-5 victory over host Corona del Mar.

The Chargers (15-11, 7-8) finished tied with Santa Margarita and Woodbridge, but won the tiebreaker based on head-to-head competition.

Strand hit a three-run home run in the first inning, a two-run shot in the second, and a solo homer in the sixth. Strand also doubled and drove in six runs. Josue Lopez also hit a three-run home run in the seventh, his 13th of the season, and Bob Pearce and Jeff Poeppel each had two hits and two RBIs for El Toro.

Mark Hatfield had a home run for Corona del Mar (15-8, 10-5).