Pony baseball: Sea Dogs wake up with 9-2 win

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - While most of their friends sleep through the

morning or relax with some television, the Pony baseball players are

trying to make plays on the diamond.

The Costa Mesa Indians must’ve had trouble getting out of bed. But,

the Newport Harbor Sea Dogs were wide awake.

The Sea Dogs (6-2) began their Saturday with a 9-2 victory over the

Indians at Ensign Intermediate School.

To earn their victory, the Sea Dogs came up with some highlight plays.

With the Indians (6-2) trying to mount a rally, Sea Dogs centerfielder

Tim Bodenhofer ended their hopes when he stretched and snagged what

appeared to be a home run in the fifth inning.

“He’s the best centerfielder in the league,” Sea Dogs Coach Phil

Cantwell said without hesitation.

Bodenhofer’s robbery secured the win as the Sea Dog hitters broke open

the game when they were protecting a 3-2 lead after three innings.

Sea Dog Kevin Courvoisier walked in the bottom of the third and Matt

Paine’s single moved him to second. That’s when Bodenhofer smacked a

two-run double. Mike Cantwell looped a single to bring in Bodenhofer and

Jose Gutierrez cracked a base hit to score Cantwell for a 7-2 lead.

Cantwell’s two-run triple that bounced off the centerfield fence also

helped in the winning effort.

The Indians, who lost for the second time this season, were left with

another Saturday morning loss.

“I think we have trouble with the Saturday morning games,” Indians

Coach Cliff Duernberger said. “It’s tough for some of our kids, I guess.

(Earlier in the week) we beat the Dodgers, who were undefeated, and we

made plays. But, not today.”

The Indians’ Nick Smith pounded a triple in the second inning and

Bryce Carich belted a double to prevent the shutout.

Indians pitcher R.J. Duernberger went the last two innings and struck

out seven, while yielding just two hits. Jamie Tinnion, James Mowatt and

Jeff Waldron also pitched for the Indians.

Courvoisier pitched three innings and fanned five batters, while Tyler

Parker closed the game with two innings of work with four strikeouts.

Cheyne Smith started the game and struck out three in two innings for the

Sea Dogs.

Note: Pony Division baseball is a 16-team league which consists of

squads from the Costa Mesa and Corona del Mar leagues and the Newport

Harbor Baseball Association.