Huntington Beach, JSerra, Santa Margarita reach National High School Invitational semifinals

Orange County baseball is earning respect at the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C.

Huntington Beach, Santa Margarita and JSerra have joined Las Vegas’ Bishop Gorman in advancing to the semifinals. Santa Margarita will play JSerra on Friday, with Huntington Beach facing Bishop Gorman.

Santa Margarita 2, Louisville (Ky.) St. Xavier 1: Another day, another terrific performance for Santa Margarita in Cary, N.C. Left-hander Sammy Cova threw a complete game, striking out seven, to lift the 13-2 Eagles into the semifinals of the National High School Baseball Invitational. Blake Balsz had a first-inning triple to get things started for Santa Margarita.

Huntington Beach 8, Clearwater (Fla.) Calvary Christian 3: Ralphy Velazquez contributed three hits and Aidan Espinoza had two RBIs for the Oilers to advance to a semifinal game against Bishop Gorman.

JSerra 8, Chicago Brother Rice 0: Ben Reimers came through with a strong pitching performance and Brandon Wang got things started with a successful squeeze bunt to spark the Lions to victory. Lou Fujiwara had three hits and two RBIs. Reimers threw six scoreless innings, striking out three and walking one.

Calabasas 4, Thousand Oaks 1: Jordan Kingston threw a complete game and Phoenix Call had three hits to lead the Coyotes.

Oaks Christian 7, Newbury Park 0: Joseph Steventon threw six scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one for Oaks Christian.

Westlake 10, Agoura 1: Nolan Johnson finished with three hits and four RBIs to lead Westlake. Johnson, Nate Franco and Kaden Youmans each hit home runs.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 4, Crespi 3: The No. 1-ranked Knights improved to 16-1. Pitcher Oliver Boone struck out six and walked none in 6 2/3 innings. Erik Puodziunas came on in the seventh with the bases loaded and got a strikeout to end the game. Diego Velazquez had two hits for Crespi. Landon Hodge added a two-run single. The two schools finish their three-game series on Friday at Crespi’s field in Encino.