Heritage High baseball team advances to CIF quarterfinals

Josh Martinez and Randy McClain hit home runs to lead a seven-hit attack Tuesday as the Heritage High School baseball team defeated Centennial High in Corona, 7-6, in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs.

The Patriots improved their overall record to 20-3 and will be at home against Paraclete Friday at 3 p.m. in the quarterfinals. Paraclete High of Lancaster will bring a 19-4 record into the game.

Martinez and McClain accounted for five of the Patriots' seven runs. Freshman Johnny Alley and senior Gabe Kristall had two hits each. Paul Pardo saved the game for Heritage, allowing just one run in 2.2 innings pitched.

Heritage took a 4-1 lead in the first inning but Centennial made it close with two runs in the third inning, two in the fifth and one in the seventh.

In a CIF-SS Division 7 game, Santa Rosa Academy lost to Vasquez, 6-2.