NHBA: Mud Hens cool in the clutch

The Newport Harbor Baseball Association’s Mud Hens dug down deep to

pull out two one-run margins of victory in Pony Division action last

week.

The Mud Hens used their team play to defeat the Corona del Mar Reds,

10-9, and the Mud Hens also scored a 4-3 decision over NHBA Yankees.

Mud Hen pitcher Brendon Salisbury struck out seven and walked just one

in four innings of work, and Nathan Cramer struck out five in three

innings when the Muds rallied to beat the Reds.

When the Mud Hens trailed, 9-7, in the seventh inning, Tim Cramer

lined a shot down the left field line, which scored two runs to win the

game. Will Klatte contributed two doubles and a single, while Salisbury

added three hits and two runs scored. Tim Cramer (two hits), Andrew

Skjonsby (two hits and two runs scored), Nick Frazier (one run) and Brice

Stillman (three runs scored) were also key in the victory, as was Jose

Gutierrez, who played sound defense in center field.

In the 4-3 win over the Yankees, Salisbury struck out nine batters in

six innings, walking only two and allowing no earned runs. Nathan Cramer

earned the save as he struck out one in the final inning. The two

pitchers turned in a one-hitter.

Salisbury had two hits, one RBI and one run scored, while Stillman

provided two RBIs. Nathan Cramer completed an unassisted double play.

For the Yankees, Chris Thompson pitched all seven innings and got the

team’s lone hit.

In NHBA Bronco Division action:

Braves 7, Red Sox 6 - The Braves pulled out a thrilling

come-from-behind victory, scoring four runs in the sixth inning and

pushing across the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh.

Arturo Vasquez, who went 3 for 3, scored the tying run in the sixth.

In the seventh inning with two out and the bases loaded, Ned Lyon took

an 0-2 pitch to right field, which scored the winning run.

Down 5-1, after two innings, Brave catchers Spencer Smith and Justin

Jones provided momentum, throwing out four base runners, while infielders

Bryce Fuller and Niko Hernandez also played solid defense.

Adrian Rodriguez led the Red Sox, pitching three strong innings and

allowing only one run.

Braves 5, Dodgers 2 - Brave pitchers Hernandez, Smith and Jones took

advantage of being backed by a solid defense, that was led by Lyon and

Ethan Flores. Vasquez slammed an RBI double in the fourth that provided

the margin of victory

Dodger pitcher R.J. D’Cruz was steady for three strong innings,

allowing only one run while striking out six.

Red Sox 11, Reds 5 - Adrian Rodriguez, who went 3 for 4 and Nathan

Talbott keyed a four-run first inning to get the Red Sox going. Red Sox

slugger Garrett Gordon (2 for 3) pounded out a double in the first, while

Scott Ward went 2 for 3 and Vince Newsome had an RBI bunt. Hunter Freeman

also went 2 for 3 for the Red Sox.

Scott Ward, Max Royer and Austin McCarthy belted singles that resulted

in a six-run sixth.

Nick Svendson, who went 2 for 3, and Spencer Richley turned in solid

efforts for the Reds.

In Pinto American Division action:

The Devil Rays and Mariners clashed in a home run derby of a game.

Garrett Farthing crushed two home runs for the Devil Rays, while the

Mariners’ Riley Peterson and Blake Penser answered with a grand slam

each.

Jake Prater turned in a valuable effort as the Mariners’ catcher,

while Jacob Steiner snagged a line drive and tagged a runner out for a

double play.