CMNLL: Nationals hit bump in road to Williamsport

Tony Altobelli

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Apparently, someone on the side of the Costa

Mesa National Little League Majors Division All-Star team forgot to wake

the bats up for Saturday’s 10 a.m. District 62, Area 2 title game with

Seaview.

With hibernating bats, Costa Mesa dropped a 4-2 decision to Seaview,

forcing a deciding game today at 1 p.m. at Marina Park.

“We didn’t warm up well and we didn’t hit well,” Manager Bill Redding

said. “I think in the back of their minds our kids know they can beat

them and we came out a little flat. I told them that this was not going

to be a walkover. Now we have to come back strong (today).”

After producing 17 runs on 23 hits the previous two games, Costa Mesa

could only muster three hits and scored both runs on a Vinnie Valdez

two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning.

Valdez went 2 for 3, while Ryan Redding had the club’s third hit, a

bunt single in the third inning.

“Sometimes, we think of the home run a little too much,” Bill Redding

said. “It’s the singles and doubles which help you win ball games.”

Seaview showed the effectiveness of that philosophy. In the top of the

first, David McLaughlin led off with a single and advanced to second on a

wild pitch. After a fly out, Carl Eberts reached on a Costa Mesa error,

which allowed McLaughlin to come around and score.

After Valdez’s two-run homer gave Costa Mesa the lead, Seaview

answered in the third inning.

McLaughlin walked and went to third on a double by Tyler Chapman.

Eberts singled to left, which scored McLaughlin and tied the game, 2-2.

Chapman scored on a wild pitch, giving Seaview the lead for good and a

Brad Adams double scored Eberts with Seaview’s third run of the inning

and fourth of the game.

Seaview starting pitcher Chapman threw five strong innings, allowing

only three hits and two runs, while striking out seven.

“It would have been nice to win today, but hopefully, this will be a

learning experience for the players,” Bill Redding said. “We’re just

going to have to bounce back (today) and play the way we’re capable of

playing.”