Baseball: Bishop Amat is off to terrific start
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La Puente Bishop Amat started the baseball season this weekend with impressive victories over Palm Desert and Corona Santiago by the identical score of 4-3.
Senior Paul Paez and sophomore Daniel Zamora picked up the pitching victories for the Lancers, who demonstrated that they are one of the top five teams in Southern California.
La Habra Sonora knocked off No. 1 Huntington Beach Edison, 4-0, on Saturday, with Jimmy Litchfield throwing a three-hit shutout. One lesson about Edison is that the Chargers need to find a No. 2 pitcher to win a Division I title, though it wasn’t pitching that cost the Chargers the game.
Valencia West Ranch started with two victories, and I think the Wildcats are going to be a tough team from beginning to end.
Hueneme came through with victories over two good teams, Chatsworth and Mission Hills Alemany. Everybody knew Jesus Valdez could pitch, but Hueneme showed it has more than just Valdez.
Santa Ana Mater Dei recovered after a disastrous 17-2 opening loss to Corona Santiago to beat Palm Desert, 3-2. That has to produce a sigh of relief for Monarchs fans, but the loss for the season of pitcher Matt Blanchard (torn labrum) is something that will be difficult to overcome. The answer might be using center fielder Cory Hahn on the mound.
And Orange County is loaded with quality teams, including Capistrano Valley, San Clemente, Mission Viejo and El Toro.
-- Eric Sondheimer