By Loren Kopff
Last season, John Glenn High’s Victor Sanchez was simply brilliant when he faced Norwalk on the road, throwing a no-hitter in an 11-0 victory. The senior southpaw hurler was back at it again as he yielded three hits, struck out nine and allowed a second inning, unearned run as the visiting Eagles slammed the Lancers 8-1 this past Wednesday.
It was the third complete game of the season for Sanchez, who improved to 5-1. He also helped his own cause by going three for five and driving in a pair of runs in the top of the second inning as Glenn (10-7 overall, 2-1 in the Suburban League) bolted out to a 3-0 lead. The inning started with junior center fielder Sammy Lopez (three for five) doubling down the left field line and senior first baseman Erick Galindo following that with a base hit to right field.
After a groundout brought in Lopez, the bases were loaded before Sanchez singled to left for two more runs. In the next inning, junior right fielder Hector Sanchez singled, stole second and eventually scored on an error.
Norwalk (5-8, 1-4) got on the board in its half of the second inning when senior pitcher Hector Amaya singled and scored on a bases loaded fielder’s choice from junior designated player Alex Aguilar. On that play, junior catcher Adan Orozco was forced at second for the second out. Glenn freshman second baseman Humberto Chiquito (two for four) then threw home to get junior shortstop Julio Sanchez to end Norwalk’s best chance to add more runs.
After that, Victor Sanchez allowed only three more runners to reach base, none of whom got past second. With the Eagles up 5-1, they put the game away with three more runs in the sixth on a run scoring triple from senior shortstop Jake Carr (two for five), a run scoring fielder’s choice from Hector Sanchez and a run scoring groundout from Galindo.
Glenn, which defeated its cross-town rivals for the third straight time, pounded out a season-high 14 hits as the two teams will meet on the east side of the city today. The Eagles will then host Mayfair on Wednesday while the Lancers will be home to Artesia on Wednesday.
In other baseball action, Artesia, which has lost nine of its last 10 games, was blanked by La Mirada 9-0 this past Wednesday to fall to 3-14 overall and 0-3 in the Suburban League. Cerritos (12-6) will visit Valley Christian for a doubleheader today. The Crusaders (12-5) will also host Heritage Christian on Tuesday to begin a home and home series with the Knights. The return game will be on Thursday. Cerritos will host Bellflower on Tuesday.
Gahr dropped a 7-6 road decision to Warren this past Tuesday in the San Gabriel Valley League opener for both teams. The Gladiators (10-8, 0-1) will host Warren today, then face El Segundo on Saturday in a Redondo Tournament game before visiting Paramount on Tuesday.
SOFTBALL
Artesia is still trying to break its doldrums in Suburban League action after falling to La Mirada 14-0 this past Wednesday. It was the 18th straight loss in league play and at least the 35th straight loss to La Mirada.
John Glenn fell to Norwalk 3-0 this past Wednesday to drop to 5-8 overall and 1-2 in league play. Norwalk (10-4, 4-1) remained on the heels of Cerritos for the top spot in the league. Freshman sensation Breanna Vasquez allowed five hits and improved to 9-1 in the circle.
Valley Christian (7-10) swept a doubleheader against Western last Saturday, winning the first game 7-4 before blasting the Pioneers 15-5 in the second game. The Lady Crusaders visited Heritage Christian on Apr. 16 and will host Village Christian on Tuesday before going to Maranatha on Thursday.
Whitney lost its Academy League opener to Oxford Academy 11-0 this past Tuesday and saw its record drop to 4-7 overall. The Lady Wildcats will travel to Calvary Chapel Downey today before hosting Brethren Christian on Tuesday.
COLLEGE SIGNINGS
Cerritos High School held a signing party for five senior athletes this past Wednesday afternoon. From the softball field, infielder Madison Lee signed her letter of intent to Ball State University while her teammate Amanda Lejano, also an infielder, signed to play at California State University, San Marcos.
Angel Alcala from the swimming team will be attending the University of the Pacific, Dominick Nevarez from the water polo team will be going to California Baptist University and Occidental College will be the new home for golf’s Samantha Rocha.