NBLL AAA: Mariners rally to win

NEWPORT BEACH - After losing a 7-1 lead, the Mariners rallied late

to pull out a 9-8 win in the second round of the Newport Beach Little

League AAA Division playoffs May 23.

Trailing 8-7 with nobody on and one out, Kirk MacDonald reached on a

single, worked his way around to the third and scored on an RBI single by

Cory MacDonald. After advancing to third, Cory MacDonald scored the

winning run on a passed ball.

The M’s had jumped out to a 7-1 lead, thanks to strong pitching by

Hunter Alder, a two-run triple by Zak Maurer-Erickson and clutch hits by

Tommy Colton, Eric Hansen and Ryan Gladych.

The Cardinals rallied with a six-run fifth inning. Grant Keligian,

Doug Kelly, Clay Beaver and Robert Boyd each reached base and Camden

Nicholson capped off the rally with a double to left field.

Strong pitching came from Michelle Zucker, who struck out the side in

the sixth inning.