Crespi is a fast starter

Jogging around the bases as if nothing special had happened, Josh Mason of Encino Crespi seemed to be in his own little world after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of the Southern Section Division II championship baseball game at Angel Stadium.

“When I hit that home run, I didn’t believe it,” Mason said. “I was just shocked.”

There was nothing shocking about the way Crespi performed Saturday. The Celts have been a well-oiled, fundamentally sound, extremely focused title contender in the playoffs, and they completed their mission with an 8-1 victory over Huntington Beach.

Junior right-hander Ryon Healy (11-0) struck out seven, walked one and gave up seven hits. He also hit a home run.

The Celts (21-11) got all the runs they would need in the opening inning, with Healy contributing a two-run single on a 3-and-0 pitch, and Mason following with his home run over the left-field fence.

Healy was the standout throughout the playoffs on the mound and at the plate. Crespi finished with 14 hits. Austin Walker had a double and two singles, and Mason had two hits.

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San Dimas 4, Torrance 2 -- A four-run fifth inning that featured consecutive run-scoring singles by Josh Leyland, Kevin Ponzo and Matt Thrall powered the Saints (24-5) to the Division IV championship, their second. San Dimas was trailing Torrance (25-8) and unbeaten pitcher Andrew Pulido, 2-0, going into the fifth. The Saints collected six hits in the inning.

West Covina South Hills 8, Irvine Beckman 2 -- Derek Klena threw a six-hitter to help the Huskies (24-8) win the Division III title. His teammates gave him plenty of runs and collected 13 hits to win the school’s fifth section title.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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SOFTBALL

Norco wins Division I

Top-seeded Norco defeated Big VIII league rival Corona Santiago, 5-1, in the Division I championship at Barber Park in Irvine.

Stanford-bound Teagan Gerhart, had eight strikeouts, scattered seven hits, and no walks for Norco (32-2). San Diego State-bound Kamerin May of Corona Santiago (27-5) had 11 strikeouts, gave up 10 hits, and had five walks for the Sharks.

-- Melissa Rohlin

Other scores: Division III: Rancho Santa Magarita Tesoro 4, Glendora 0; Division V: Whittier Christian 3, San Dimas 2 (8 innings); Division VI: L.A. Marymount 3, Pasadena La Salle 2.