Costa Mesa National Little League: Diamondbacks storm back for win

The Diamondbacks came back from a 6-2 deficit to grab a 7-6 win

over the White Sox in seven innings in Costa Mesa National Little League

Majors Division action. Riley Hart stole home for the winning run. Ryan

Redding and Brandon Maurer combined to lead the pitching efforts,

including 12 strikeouts, for the Diamondbacks. Gavin Montague’s double

and Patrick McGuire’s bunt single scored the Diamondbacks’ first two

runs.

Troy McClanahan’s triple led to two RBIs, while Redding was 3 for 4

with a single, double, triple and two RBIs. Two key pickoffs by catcher

Chase Harrison kept the White Sox from scoring in the fifth and sixth

innings. Sean Ulrich made a crucial catch in center field, while catcher

Andrew Ayala also played well defensively.

Mauer (one RBI), Harrison (one RBI) and Joseph Dzida also contributed.

In other Costa Mesa National Little League Majors Division action:

*Marlins 11, Astros 1 - The Marlins sealed their victory with a

six-run fourth inning, capped by a sacrifice fly to center by Anthony

Secrest. Adam Seagondollar went 3 for 3, with a double and three RBIs.

Secrest, Danny O’Neil and Ryan Maxwell helped the winning cause, each

with two hits and two runs scored. Evan Kipnis scored twice.

Astros pitchers Ricky Camp, Gilbert Beas and Josh Ryding combined for

seven strikeouts, while Seagondollar and Michael Gillmore, the Marlins’

pitchers, allowed only four Astros to reach base in four innings.

*Dodgers 9, Cardinals 4 - Dodgers pitcher Justin Long struck out 12,

walking just one. Also for the Dodgers, Brandon Grimmet hammered a

three-run home run in the fifth inning to give the Dodgers a 7-2 lead,

while Bryan Bennett collected three hits, including a two-run home run in

the sixth inning. Nick Pedersen and Juan Guzman chipped in with a single

and double each, while Ian Abernathy finished with a hit and three runs

scored. Nick Oliver led the defense and was supported by Alex Grosek and

Matthew Telles.

In CMNLL T-ball Majors Division action:

*All of the players from the Dodgers and the Astros participated in

the action, either on the field or at the plate. Some of the highlights

included fielding plays by Jackson Copper, Carrett Deutsch, John Herchuk,

Justin Jojola and catcher Bill Crosson.

The Dodgers had a balanced hitting attack led by Danielle Moran,

Dominick Jojola, Natalie Fowler, Mitchell Clevidence and Alex DeSoto.

Ryan Adkisson provided the firepower as the last batter in each inning,

clearing the bases twice.

*The Cardinals and the Diamondbacks improved their fundamentals. Kohl

Ponsford blasted a powerful hit over second base for a home run. Jason

Rodriguez was an example with a pinpoint throw to first base for an out.

Gunner Johnston played well on third, catching several balls. Zack Shafer

showed he can bat right or left and improved on his batting skills.

In CMNLL Farm Division action:

*The Rockies and Dodgers battled. Jesse Paz belted a double and later

scored a run for the Rockies, while teammate Alex “Big Al” Mazur

collected a base hit, which resulted in a head-first slide into first

base. The Rockies’ Robert Murtha finished with a base hit and scored a

run. His sister, Mailiah, pounded out two doubles and an RBI, and

displayed solid form playing the infield. Nathan Frank picked up a hit,

then finished out the game as catcher for the Rockies. Noah Jeyarajah

also had a hit and scored a run. Andrea Hardwick had a hit with an RBI,

while teammate Aaron Wood had a big game, recording three hits with an

RBI and two runs scored.

Erik Rasmussen shared second base and outfield duties with Hannah

Jeyarajah, who also scored a run after a base hit. The Rockies’ Matthew

Spicer, who had a hit and an RBI, combined for an out at first base with

Adam Ward, who had a double and scored a run.

In Costa Mesa American Little League Majors Division action:

*Tigers 5, Yankees 3 - Cody Spoulos smacked three hits and Alex

Moralez collected two with a walk to lead the Tigers’ offensive attack.

Pitchers Andrew Millian and Moralez held the Yankees to three runs.

Both pitched three innings each. Yankee pitcher Justin Reyes completed

five strong innings.

The Yankees opened the scoring when Reyes singled to right to drive in

two.

The Tigers came back in the top of the third inning when Moralez

singled to drive in two to tie the game. Both teams added a run in the

fifth.

The Tigers took the lead for good in the sixth when Spoulos opened the

inning with a triple and scored on an error. Moralez also scored on a

fielder’s choice.