Santa Ana Defeats Saddleback to Advance

Santa Ana, calling on two seldom-used left-handers, beat Saddleback twice Sunday in San Luis Obispo to advance to the state tournament for the fifth time since 1993.

Bret Halbert (4-1) struck out three and walked two in Santa Ana’s clinching 9-4 victory. Halbert, from Buena Park High, gave up eight hits in his first start of the season.

Santa Ana had forced a second game when Ryan McDermott (3-0) pitched a six-hitter in the first game to beat Saddleback, 8-1. It was the second start of the season for McDermott, from Chino Hills Ayala.

Dan Young had three hits, including a two-run home run in the eighth, and three RBIs for the Dons (32-18) in the second game.

Christian Popoff hit a home run and Joe Urban had three hits to highlight a 14-hit attack for the Dons in the first game.

Saddleback’s Josh Arhart broke up the shutout with a home run in the ninth.

Saddleback, the second-place team from the Orange Empire Conference, finished 34-15.

Santa Ana is the first fifth-place team to reach the state tournament, which started in 1950. The Dons play defending state champion Sacramento Saturday at Fresno College. Santa Ana lost twice to the Panthers earlier this season.

Cypress plays Santa Rosa Saturday. Times will be determined today. This is the third time Santa Ana and Cypress have advanced to the state tournament together. Cypress beat Santa Ana for the title in 1994. Santa Ana returned the favor in 1996.