Grace Brethren, St. Joseph Win Championships

Junior right-hander Brett Scott pitched a five-hitter and Simi Valley Grace Brethren (17-9) scored two unearned runs in the first inning to win the program’s fourth Southern Section title in five years with a 3-1 victory over Ojai Thacher in the Division VI championship Thursday at Blair Field in Long Beach.

After two errors allowed one run to score in the first, Chase Kroll followed with a run-scoring single to give the Lancers a 2-0 lead.

Scott (4-2) surrendered a run-scoring single to Charlie Munzig in the bottom of the first, but only allowed one Thacher baserunner to advance into scoring position after that. He struck out five with no walks.

Douds (7-2) gave up five hits, struck out six and walked three for the Toads (19-4), who appeared in a section championship game for the first time.

Santa Maria St. Joseph 5, San Pedro Mary Star of The Sea 0--Drew Bernier pitched a four-hitter in the Division V championship at Blair Field and the Knights (20-10) scored four runs in the third inning to win the program’s first section championship since 1997.

Bernier (6-5) walked four and struck out one. He pitched out of two-out, two-on jams in the third and fifth innings. Bernier and Josh Meagher had run-scoring singles and Tim Regnier had a run-scoring double in the fourth.

The Stars (23-7) stranded seven runners on base, including two in scoring position.

John Klima