REDONDO BEACH - The Port Of Los Angeles High softball team made their early statement not only with their new black uniforms, but in how they blackened their opponents' offenses.

The reigning two-time CIF-Los Angeles City Section Small Schools champions swept both pool play games by defeating Crosstown League rival Harbor Teacher Prep of Wilmington, 8-0, and then blanking West Torrance, 9-0 for a great start to the 2013 season. Sophomore pitcher Nicolle Miranda was sensational in both games, hurling a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts against Harbor Teacher Prep, then striking out 11 more in a two-hitter against West Torrance.

Both games ended in five innings due to the tournament time limit.

Against Harbor Teacher Prep (0-2) in a rematch of last year's City Section Small Schools finals, Miranda would drive in four runs off a sharp single to left in the first inning, a towering two-run home run in the third inning, and a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Freshman pinch hitter Emily Ibarra stroked an RBI-single in her only at-bat.

POLA (2-0) only managed four hits off Harbor Teacher Prep senior pitcher Erin Bettis, but would bring out their sticks to a whole new battle ground against West Torrance.

Miranda remained hot by hitting another two-run homer, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs. Sophomore second baseman Rosemary Garcia went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, sophomore left fielder Laura Leos went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Senior right fielder Brianna Grayson and sophomore catcher Savana Ramirez also added RBI-singles during a six-run fourth inning. The Polar Bears pounded out 11 hits against the Warriors (0-2).

The Polar Bears advance to the Gold Division championship bracket semifinals on Friday.