LOARA defeated Rancho Alamitos 1-0 in a key Garden Grove League baseball contest.

Matt Blackney pitched seven shutout innings and Pat Monroe doubled and scored the only run as Loara edged Rancho Alamitos 1-0 Friday in a battle for first place in the Garden Grove League baseball race.

The Saxons, who now have the inside track in the GGL in their first year in the league, improved to 4-0 in the conference and 5-5 overall. The Vaqueros went to 4-1 in league and 6-5 overall. The two teams will meet again on March 26 and 28 in games that may determine the 2019 league champion.

In the Sunset League opener for both teams, Huntington Beach High thumped Fountain Valley 11-1 Friday, hammering out 10 hits but also getting 10 walks. The Oilers are 1-0 in the SL and 10-2 overall.

Here are Friday night results for area baseball and softball.

Baseball

• Marina 6, Corona del Mar 0
• La Quinta 6, Bolsa Grande 1
• Edison 4, Los Alamitos 3
• Loara 1, Rancho Alamitos 0

Softball

• Bolsa Grande 12, Saddleback 1
• Santiago 4, Katella 1
• Ocean View 18, Buena Park 6
• Los Amigos 18, Orange 13