RYAN LEMMON ALL-STAR SENIOR SHOWCASE:

IRVINE — For Newport Harbor High seniors RJ D’Cruz, Patrick Brennan and Erik Bonn, the game signified the end of their high school baseball career.

But, when the trio left Saturday’s 12th annual Ryan Lemmon All-Star Showcase early, they did it for another event important in the life of most high school seniors: the prom. Newport Harbor held its prom Saturday night at The Grove of Anaheim, making D’Cruz, Brennan and Bonn brief participants in the game that started just after 5 p.m. at Windrow Park.

“It’s a lot of fun [to play in the game],” Bonn said. “It’s a great honor. That’s why we showed up.”

The Sailors seniors weren’t around to see their Sunset League team battle back from an eight-run deficit against the South Coast League. The final score was a 9-9 tie, as the game was called after seven innings. Still, the Newport Harbor contingent participated plenty early.

Brennan, headed to the University of Pennsylvania, started the game at pitcher for the Sunset League, allowing a leadoff single before retiring the next three batters in order.

D’Cruz, a first-team All-Sunset League selection headed to the University of San Diego, worked the second inning at pitcher. Bonn, who had a single in his only at-bat, caught the first three innings.

“It was nice to be able to work with the guys I’ve played with since I was 5 years old, basically,” Bonn said. “It was nice to finish our high school careers that way.”

Coaches decided to call the game after seven innings due to a lack of available pitching. The Sunset League trailed throughout the game, but scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to produce the final 9-9 score.

HOLLAND COMPETES

Corona del Mar High senior Kevin Holland was the lone Sea Kings to participate in the afternoon game at the showcase, which pitted the Pacific Coast League against the Sea View League. The Sea View League won the game, 3-0.

Holland, a first-team all-league player for CdM, played two innings at second base for the PCL. He said he also struck out in his only at-bat, but that was all right with him.

“I’m just happy for the opportunity to come out here and play,” Holland said. “It was a real joy.”

Last year, CdM had seven players at the showcase, but the Sea Kings were younger this year.

“We only had, I think, six seniors on varsity, and only three of us actually played full-time,” Holland said.

Holland is headed to Duke University and said he’ll likely try to walk on to the baseball team. Former Sea King Jake Lemmerman just finished his freshman year with the Blue Devils.

Newport Harbor Coach Evan Chalmers was one of the Sunset League coaches Saturday, as was CdM head man John Emme for the PCL.

Los Alamitos senior Matt Avery won the home run derby that was sandwiched in-between the two games Saturday.

Money raised went to the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, named for the former Woodbridge player who died in a 1994 car accident.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at [email protected].