When Pacifica crossed over from the Garden Grove League to the Empire League several years ago, everyone expected that the excellent athletic programs at the West Garden Grove school would be in for a higher level of competition.
That’s turned out to be true, but the Mariner softball program, the most storied of all, is still collecting championship trophies and plaques. After Tuesday’s 2-0 win over rival Cypress, the M’s are 10-0 and have clinched at least a tie for the Empire League title.
The Mariners play a tough pre-league schedule against area and out-of-state powerhouses, so their 23-8 record doesn’t look glittery enough to catch the attention of CIF voters in the weekly polls. However, Pacifica has the horses to do well in the playoffs starting next week.
In other softball and baseball games Tuesday Rancho Alamitos clinched at least a tie for the GGL baseball title with a 5-2 nine-inning win over long-time defending champion La Quinta. The Vaqs lead by one game over the Aztecs, whom they play again today (Thursday).
Rancho led 2-0 until the Aztecs tied it with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. The Vaqueros exploded for three runs in the top of the ninth to post the win.
Also in the GGL. Garden Grove defeated Santiago 8-1. In the Orange League, Magnolia defeated Century 6-4, while in the Empire, Pacifica defeated Cypress 7-4 to solidify a hold on second place and a CIF playoff spot.
In the Golden West League, Westminster beat Orange 4-2.
Softball play Tuesday had Western smack Magnolia 15-2.
On Monday, the Garden Grove League softball race remained a three-way struggle among La Quinta, Garden Grove and Rancho Alamitos.
The Argonauts defeated Los Amigos 14-2, while La Quinta got past Santiago 3-1 and Rancho Alamitos blanked Bolsa Grande 10-0.
Last Friday in baseball, Garden Grove hammered Los Amigo 14-2 and Rancho Alamitos outslugged Bolsa Grande 10-4. La Quinta got past Santiago 10-7 in the GGL.
Scores were sky-high in the Orange League. Magnolia soared past Santa Ana Valley 22-4 and Western lost 10-0 to Savanna. In the Golden West League, Westminster edged Segerstrom 8-7 and Orange slipped past Ocean View 8-7.
In the Empire League, Pacifica remained in second in the baseball race with a 4-3 win over Cypress.
Softball action Friday saw Orange lose 10-5 to Segerstrom.
Last Thursday in softball in the GGL, Garden Grove blanked La Quinta 6-0 and Rancho Alamitos beat Los Amigos 7-0. Santiago beat Bolsa Grande 12-2.
In the Orange League, Western hammered Santa Ana Valley 19-0 and Magnolia handled Anaheim 7-1. In the Empire League, Loara threw a scare into Pacifica but eventually lost 1-0.
