By DAVID DELGADO
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
SANTA ANA >> Katella powered past Century using something it hadn’t used in the teams’ previous meetings this season – a high-octane offense.
Michael Hill and Angel Lopez provided the big swings as the Knights cruised to a 15-1 victory Friday that gave them a sweep in their Orange League series with the Centurions.
Katella (14-6, 8-1) strengthened its hold on first in the league standings by pounding out 10 hits, including a three-run shot home run by Lopez and a grand slam by Hill.
The Knights grabbed a quick lead, 3-0, thanks in part to four errors by Century (13-7, 5-4) in the opening frame.
Katella increased its lead to 6-1 in the third, as Skyler Johnson and Jacob Jimenez added an RBI double and RBI single, respectively.
But the majority of the damage was still to come.
Lopez went deep in the next inning, and his three-run blast gave the Knights a 9-1 advantage, 9-1.
Hill then added slugged his grand slam in the fifth. The drive clear the fence in left and gave Katella a 13-1 lead.
Century finished the game with six errors.
The Centurions scored their run in the bottom half of the first frame but failed to capitalize on other early chances for runs.
After John Tepox drove in Eduardo Ojeda to make it 3-1, Rodrigo Torres flied out to left with two runners on first and second to end the inning.
Katella starter David Navarette went five innings, struck out two and allowed one run.
The Knights will try push their winning streak to six games Tuesday when they take on Santa Ana Valle.