Gorman blowout win opens Legion regional

Bishop Gorman belted five home runs on the way to a 17-6 victory over Cyprus (Utah) in its opener of the American Legion Western Regional at Kearns, Utah, on Thursday.

John Rickard led the onslaught with two homers and went 4-for-5 with five RBIs. Paul Sewald, Johnny Field and R.J. Santigate also homered for the Gaels.

Field's three-run homer in the second inning put Gorman ahead 5-1. Santigate hit a pinch-hit two-run shot in the seventh to end the game on the 10-run rule.

"It was a pretty good offensive display, and then Stephen Manthei threw pretty well for the first five innings," Gorman coach Chris Sheff said. "He got roughed up a little in the sixth, but he pitched real well for five."

Gorman wasn't the only team to have a good day offensively. There were 18 home runs hit in the four games, and the four winning teams combined for 81 runs.

The Gaels play Louisville (Colo.) at 6:30 p.m. today. Louisville was a 25-15 winner over Pearl City (Hawaii).

"We talked about having guys step up, and we had a pretty good days from a few guys," Sheff said.