Pearce, El Toro Oust Top-Rated Servite, 18-17

Bobby Pearce had four hits, including a grand slam, and finished with six runs batted in, leading El Toro to an 18-17 victory over top-seeded Servite in a Southern Section Division I baseball game Friday at Servite.

El Toro’s Josue Lopez tied for the county lead with his 14th home run. Lopez and Edison’s Tony Cappuccilli are within one of the 1997 county single-season record set by Laguna Hills’ Nick Harvey.

The Chargers took an 18-15 lead in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on four walks and hits by Deven Lightner and Grant Plumley, who had a two-run single.

El Toro (17-11) overcame deficits of 9-1 and 11-4.

Ryan Garko, Ben Francisco and Mark Goldsmith each had two RBIs in Servite’s seven-run second inning. Garko went one for three with two walks for the county’s top-ranked team, which finished the season 23-3.

Evan Whitaker (2-0), one of four pitchers used by El Toro, earned the victory. The Chargers advanced to play Bell Gardens.

Servite started Brian Wolfe (11-0), who was replaced by Joe Schaefer in the fourth. Schaefer took the loss.

Servite beat El Toro in a wild- card game last year but was eliminated by Esperanza in the second round.

In other Division I games:

Mater Dei 5, Glendora 3--Pat Manning hit a home run and Troy Bokosky went two for four with a two-run home run in the fifth that put Mater Dei up, 4-1. Nick Lovato (10-1) struck out five and walked none for the host Monarchs (19-6).

San Clemente 7, Encino Crespi 3--Adam Ehrheart hit a solo home run in the fourth inning for visiting San Clemente (18-10). Darin Johanson went three for three with two RBIs and Mike Corder had three hits and drove in a runner, both for San Clemente.