NHBA Bronco: Newport ‘A’ All-Stars show grit

FOUNTAIN VALLEY - The Newport Harbor Baseball Association Bronco

Division “A” All-Star team made it quite clear on Saturday that it forgot

about its first-round loss to Dana Point at the District 2 All-Star

Tournament, posting a 10-0 win over Whittier.

Drew Harris and Brett Houten each pitched three scoreless innings and

combined for nine strikeouts. Chris LoMenzo led the offensive attack with

two hits and two RBIs, while Nike Hernandez and Houten (five RBIs

combined) also pulled in strong performances.

The win pushed Newport into a Sunday showdown with Garden Grove and

the locals prevailed, 8-2.

Nathan Todd, Daniel and Houten each pitched well for Newport, while on

offense, Thomas Southern smashed a home run and Houten and LoMenzo each

had two and two RBIs.

Brennan Davis and Drew Harris each scored twice for Newport, while the

infield defense was strong, turning two double plays and recording nine

of the final 12 outs.

The win set up a rematch with Irvine, whom Newport had defeated at the

Dana Point pre-district tournament.

Irvine got its revenge and posted a 9-5 win over Newport, eliminating

the locals from district competition.

Overall, Newport hit .392 as a team at the four-game tournament.

Houten led all hitters with a .643 batting average, while LoMenzo (.500)

and Niko Hernandez (.400) were close behind.

The Newport pitching staff of Harris, Houten, Todd, LoMenzo and Daniel

averaged just over three runs per game.