Irvine Valley's baseball team got eight strong innings on the mound from sophomore Tyler Venturelli, a scoreless ninth by sophomore John Stevens and one big clutch hit by sophomore designated hitter Alec Ceniceros in a 3-2 win over Allan Hancock on Friday at home.
Irvine Valley, ranked No. 12 in Southern California, improved its record to 11-5 on the season. Allan Hancock's record fell to 4-8.
Venturelli was his usual dominant self, going eight innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts. He improved his record to 4-0 on the year.
Stevens retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning, including striking out Josh Harmonay looking to end the game.
Walker Armstrong pitched well for Allan Hancock, throwing eight innings, but he took the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits and one walk. He had nine strikeouts.
Irvine Valley trailed, 2-1, heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
But Ceniceros singled through the right side to score freshman right fielder Zack Stack and freshman catcher Ryan Gaynor and give Irvine Valley the lead for good.
Irvine Valley scored its first run in the bottom of the fifth on a RBI groundout by freshman center fielder Grant Rockefeller.
IVC scattered eight hits against Armstrong on the day. Freshman third baseman Ryan Rafferty was 2 for 4 and sophomore shortstop Tyler Odekirk went 1 for 3 with a walk. Gaynor was 1 for 4 with a double.
Daniel Curiel went 3 for 4 and Kyle Von Tillow was 1 for 2 with a walk and one RBI to lead the Bulldogs.
The Lasers play again next Tuesday at Mt. SAC at 6 p.m.
