Gorman stays unbeaten in Legion regional

Joey Rickard made it three straight solid starting pitching efforts as Bishop Gorman beat Honolulu 14-4 in the American Legion Western Regional on Saturday in Surprise, Ariz.

Rickard, who followed strong efforts by Donn Roach on Thursday and Paul Sewald on Friday, allowed seven hits and four runs in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked four.

"It was a huge effort by Joey," Gorman coach Chris Sheff said. "Getting good starting pitching has really set us up well in the tournament."

At 3-0 in the double-elimination tournament, Gorman (68-7-1) is the only undefeated team in the regional.

The Titans, who trailed 3-2 after two innings, gave Rickard all the run support he needed in a five-run third inning.

Erik Van Meetren singled home Matt Hall to tie the game at 3. Scott Dysinger's sacrifice fly plated Jeff Malm with the go-ahead run.

Sewald followed with an RBI double that brought in Van Meetren, and Corey Lafler scored on a fielding error on the play. Sewald finished the scoring in the third, racing home on a wild pitch.

Gorman took a 7-3 lead into the seventh inning and put away the game by scoring seven more runs in the final three innings.

Dysinger had two singles and five RBIs. Johnny Field was 3-for-6 with two doubles and an RBI.

The Titans will face Taylorsville (Utah) at 8 tonight.