Newport Harbor Baseball Association: Braves edge Giants in extra

innings, 4-3

NEWPORT BEACH - The Braves were able to hold on for victory over

the Giants, 4-3, in an eight-inning Newport Harbor Baseball Association

Bronco Division matchup.

Pitchers Niko Hernandez, Spencer Smith and Justin Jones held the

Giants to six hits, while striking out nine. Jones was also a force

behind the plate, throwing out two at second base.

Darken Legget made several crucial plays around the infield, including

a pinpoint throw to end a Giant threat in the seventh inning.

First baseman Arturo Vasquez went 2 for 3 for the Braves, and made all

three putouts in the final inning. The Giants’ Brock Schuler pitched

three scoreless innings, striking out four.

In other Bronco Division action:

* Red Sox 10, Giants 5 - Strong pitching, timely hitting and solid

defense all played a part in the Red Sox’ 10-5 win over the Giants,

Scott Ward, Garrett Gordon and Adrian Rodriguez anchored the Red Sox

pitching. Ward pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three and

teamed with third baseman Coby Peterson to pick off a Giant baserunner in

the fourth inning for the third out. Gordon struck out six in three

innings’ work, with Rodriguez providing strong pitching the final two

innings.

With the score tied at 2 in the bottom of the third, the Red Sox

scored four runs on singles from Nathan Talbott, Peterson, Gordon and

Richard De St. Jean. The Red Sox added three more in the fifth with a

lead-off double by Rodriguez, followed by RBI singles from Gordon,

Peterson and Austin McCarthy. Rodriguez, Gordon and McCarthy all went 2

for 3 with two RBIs.

Max Royer anchored the Red Sox defense, snagging four pop flys in

shallow right. Ward and Peterson also contributed strong defense

throughout the game, including a third-inning play when Ward, playing

first, threw to Peterson at third to catch a Giant baserunner. Also

contributing defensively were shortstop Rodriguez and outfielders Vince

Newsom, Hunter Freeman and Nick Vlahakis.

Peter Hapke and Brock Schuler pitched well for the Giants. Hapke

pitched the first two innings, striking out three and limiting the Red

Sox to two runs. Schuler went 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Glen Christensen and

Drew Littlefair both went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

* Dodgers 7, Mets 2 - The Dodgers jumped out to a 4-1 lead after their

first four players reached in the first inning and never looked back,

defeating the Mets, 7-2.

John Swift had a hit, scored a run, pitched two innings striking out

three and threw out a runner attempting to steal. Danny Moskovits had

three hits, scored three runs, pitched three innings giving up two hits,

while striking out five. R.R.J. D’Cruz had a hit and closed out the game

pitching the final two innings without allowing a hit or a run, and

struck out three. Spenser Venegas also added a hit while Christian

Hoagland scored a run.

Brandon Davis snared every ball hit or thrown at him. Garrett Morgan

played a flawless second base, while Peter Kinney played well at third.

Outfielders Trevor Davis and Matt Waller anchored the Dodger defense.

The Mets’ Jason Loftus pitched three strong innings and added a

double. Erik Bonn pitched two innings, striking out four and also played

well behind the plate. Chase Behr played a flawless shortstop, while

adding a single, and Freddie Randall pitched well and added a single.