Cruz Lorca belted two-run homer in the first inning to help power the Goleta Valley South Little League Junior All-Stars team to a 13-4 win over Laguna Beach in an elimination game at the Little League Southern California State Tournament in Corona on Thursday night.
Lorca drove in four runs and reached base in all four of his at bats. He went 2 for 2, was intentionally walked and hit by a pitch.
GVSLL banged out 16 hits in the win, with Diego Alvarez, Titus Fernandez, Chris Youngdahl, William Wrenn, and Gunner Martinez each collected multiple hits. Owen Carleton and Martinez each had two RBIs, while Kevan Vatan, Kieran Ramaker, Wrenn and Fernandez each had one. The team also stole eight bases.
Vatan, Carleton and Youngdahl pitched in the win.
GVSLL will face El Centro Little League on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at El Cerritos Park in Corona.
GVSLL members include: Jake Brennan, Diego Alvarez, Cruz Lorca, William Wrenn, Chris Youngdahl, Christian Martinez, Owen Carleton, Titus Fernandez, Kevan Vatan, Josh Lopez, Wyatt Mitchell, Gavin Miller and Kieran Ramaker.
The team is managed by Rob Brennan and coached by Brian Fernandez, Dan Carleton, Ray Lopez, Billy Wrenn and Ed Martinez.