Diamond Demons take care of Smashers

Patty Keleher hit a fourth inning home run to highlight a potent

offense attack by the Diamond Demons, who went on to take a 9-2 victory

over the Surf City Smashers Wednesday in a Huntington Beach FastPitch

Softball 8-and-Under Division contest held at Edison Park.

Keheler’s homer preceded consecutive singles by Rebecca Kendrick, Katie

Roberts, and Molly Bergdahl in the inning to give the Diamond Demons

control of the game.

Surf City led once in the contest, taking a 1-0 lead in the top-half of

the first inning when Clair Babinski hit a lead-off single, then scored

on a Michelle Hynes double.

But that lead didn’t last long, however, as the Diamond Demons came right

back in the bottom of the frame to take a 3-1 lead, with consecutive hits

by Stephanie Engle, Rachel Pasternak, Emily Hyams, and Tina Griffin

igniting the comeback.

After the Smashers narrowed their deficit to 3-2, Caroline Gergen singled

and later scored to up the Diamond Demons lead to 4-2.

The defensive play of both Candice Raab and Carly Lewton helped shut down

the Smashers the rest of the way.

IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY YOUTH BASEBALL ACTION:

BRONCO MAJOR DIVISION

Reds 16, Cardinals 3

Brandon Lawson struck out nine in four innings pitched and closer Jeff

Roth fanned four in the final two innings as the Reds overwhelmed the

Cardinals. Offensively, the Reds pounded out 14 hits, with Roth getting

three hits, and Brandon Gladu, Jason Croswell, and Brandon Cooke each

getting two hits.

The Cardinals were led by Chad Blaur, who had two hits.