DIVISION II BASEBALL : Buena Park’s Garcia Makes Quick Work of Brea’s Batters

Buena Park pitcher Alfredo Garcia, determined to be on time for his prom date, quickly set down Brea-Olinda, 2-0, in the first round the the Southern Section Division II playoffs Friday at Brea.

Garcia (10-3) brought Orange County’s best earned-run average (0.54) into the game and did little to jeopardize it as he struck out 10, walked none, gave up five hits and had five assists. Garcia, a senior right-hander, has struck out 99 this season and walked only five.

“I wanted to hurry up and throw strikes,” Garcia said. “The game went quick. My pitches were good, my location was good and my fastball was tailing. I wanted to win that first CIF game.”

Buena Park (18-6) advanced to Tuesday’s second round, where it will meet the winner of Upland-Moreno Valley Canyon Springs game. Brea-Olinda ended its season 14-11-1.

Garcia retired the first eight batters before Dan Anderson lined a single to left field in the third.

After the Coyotes took a 2-0 lead in the fourth, Brea’s only threat came in the bottom of the inning after John Stoddard and Mike Anspach singled. But they were stranded at first and second when Garcia struck out Jason Theis.

Buena Park scored by taking advantage of Brea errors. Angel Najar set up the first run when he doubled and took third on Brea second baseman Anderson’s mishandling of the throw from the outfield.

Greg Cabral’s stolen base resulted in a run when Brea catcher Mike Brambilla threw the ball into center field trying to catch Cabral at second. Cabral took third on the play and scored when Josh Egan was called for a balk on Robert Capp’s stolen base attempt.

In other Division II play:

Valencia 13, Burbank Burroughs 10--Robert Petko and Epi Ramirez went three for three for Valencia (15-10), which faces Redondo Union in the second round. Petko had a triple and four runs scored, and Ramirez had three RBIs. Burroughs ended 13-13.

Redondo Union 9, Troy 7 (8 innings)--Scott Albin hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth to win it. Brad Downing hit a three-run homer in the sixth for Troy, but Redondo rallied for five runs in the seventh to send the game into extra innings. Morgan Ensberg hit two home runs and had four RBIs for Redondo (18-8). Troy finishes 18-6-1.

Orange 12, Mira Costa 5--Gary Fulsom went three for four with three RBIs and three runs scored for Orange (14-12), which advances to play Riverside Arlington in the second round.

Chino Don Lugo 4, Santa Ana Valley 1--Chad Albaugh pitched a three-hitter for visiting Don Lugo (19-7), which scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Santa Ana Valley finished 13-13.

Temecula Valley 5, Sunny Hills 1--Eric Smith had a RBI double for visiting Sunny Hills (18-8-1).