Newport Beach Little League: Yankees win

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - The Newport Beach Little League’s Yankees, of the

Majors Division, made like Major League Baseball’s version of the World

Series Champions. The team of 11- and 12-year-olds used strong pitching

and big hits to capture the NBLL Majors title with a 3-1 victory over the

Cardinals Thursday at Lincoln Elementary.

The Yankees’ ace, Vinnie Saint John, capped a remarkable playoff run

with a complete-game, 12-strikeout performance.

He allowed six hits, one unearned run and walked nobody on 90 pitches.

Throughout the four games he pitched in the playoffs, he recorded

three shutouts, including a no-hitter and two two-hitters.

The player the Yankees call “Hollywood” was quick to thank his

teammates after winning the title and he also credited a special coach.

“I credit this to my dad,” said Saint John. “He always helps me in

getting better, especially in being a better person.”

Picking up one run in the third inning and two more in the fourth, the

Yankees (12-8) provided a healthy cushion so that Saint John could tame

the Cardinals.

After a spectacular double-play by Cardinals’ shortstop Sam Stafford,

Yankees’ catcher Zach Von Berg belted a shot to right field for an RBI

single which scored Robbie Lusk who had tripled.

Then in the fourth inning with two outs, the Yankees, scored twice.

Andy Morrow, in his first at-bat, slammed a double, which scored Jack

Lansford. Will Wilkerson also took advantage of his first time at the

plate and cracked a single to right field, scoring Morrow for a 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals fought back with some solid pitching and defense of

their own and combined the effort with a run in the fifth inning. Catcher

Ryan Telles scored the run when Aaron Northcraft put the ball into play

with a sharp grounder that rolled into center field.

In four innings of work, William O’Brien hurled 74 pitches, including

five strikeouts, two in a perfect second. Northcraft closed the game,

fanning three in two innings and recorded a perfect sixth.

The title game also featured a friendly sibling rivalry. Each team had

a Sorensen brother. Richie, 12, played for the Yankees and 11-year-old

Travis was on the Cardinals. Throughout the week, Travis confidently

teased his older brother of the Cardinals’ advantage.

After the game, however, Richie had the last word.

During the awards presentation after the game, the Cardinals’ first

baseman Tyler Brady and the Giants Tommy Hutchinson were awarded with the

NBLL’s Best Sportsmanship award. In the sixth inning, Brady stretched and

made a sensational scoop after he teamed with Stafford for a 6-3

groundout.

Both teams will play in the Tournament of Champions this week.

NEWPORT BEACH LITTLE LEAGUE

MINOR DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

Yankees

5 Robbie Lusk

1 Zach Von Berg

2 Vinnie Saint John

19 Kyle Legrand

21 Patrick Marin-Finn

3 Richie Sorensen

25 Patrick Brennan

27 Austin Raiger

8 Taylor Fanning

4 Jack Lansford

53 Andy Morrow

12 Will Wilkinson

Manager: Paul Von Berg

Coaches: Vinnie Saint John and Gary Legrand

Cardinals

21 William O’Brien

25 Ryan Telles

73 Sam Stafford

7 Colin Wigely

44 Aaron Northcraft

13 Tyler Brady

32 Eric Berkley

99 Travis Sorensen

24 John Yesh

4 Sean Berkley

1 James Petrelli 36 Greg Wolonsky

Manager: Chris Telles

Coaches: Bill O’Brien and Jim Petrelli