Newport Beach Little League: Playoffs begin today for Majors

NEWPORT BEACH - The National League Division champion Diamondbacks

of the Newport Beach Little League’s Major Division ended the season with

games against the Giants and Reds.

In a 9-4 defeat of the Reds, the Diamondbacks got contributions from

Chris Rosen (three hits) and Conner Whalen (two hits), and key hits from

Scott Colton, Garrett Amoroso, who also pitched, and Tommy Colton.

Rosen, Steven Manning, Mason Sayer also helped keep the Reds in check

on the mound.

Andrew Silva (two hits), Blaine Neilsen, Timmy Winning, Brett

Bartlett, Eric Mooney and Joe Frey all helped the Reds’ offensive attack.

In the game against the Giants, Diamondback Mason Sayer caught the

ball and threw to catcher Tommy Colton to double-up the runner trying to

score from third with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning.

The D-backs received clutch pitching from Chris Rosen, who delivered

the game-winning hit, Steven Manning, Fletcher Della Grotta and Garrett

Amoroso to limit the Giant offense.

Nick Taylor blanked the D-backs for three innings.

The Newport Beach Little League Tournament begins today and conclude

June 6 with the winner of the National Division facing the champion of

the American Division.

The National League winner Diamondbacks (15-3) and the American League

Division champion Red Sox (13-5) each received a bye in the first round.

The D-backs play their first playoff game Monday at 5 p.m., and the Red

Sox play at 7 p.m. the same day. Both games are at Boras Field.

In another Majors game:

Angels 11, Mariners 2: The Angels scored 11 runs in the first inning,

led by Michael Page, who singled and tripled and drove in five runs.

Shane Boras, Scott Ely, Jordan Kurtz and Scott Frazier also had base hits

in the first inning.

The Mariners’ Erik and Kevin Rask and Devon Kelly were responsible for

a two-run uprising in the top of the first inning. The Angels finished

12-6, the Mariners at 10-8.

In AAA action:

Angels 13, Red Sox 7: Strong pitching from Brian Hurst, Eric Morris,

Dillon Campbell and Doug Watts, with an offense ignited by Cory Donavon,

Kyle Warsaw and Brian Hurst, each with two hits, and a solid effort by

catcher Brennan Anderson, keyed the victory.

For the Red Sox, Parker Werline and Blake Thomsen pitched well.

Werline, Thomsen and Brent Gray led the offense with two hits each.

In AA action:

Diamondbacks 12, Braves 6 - A balanced hitting attack led the

Diamondbacks to victory over the Braves in AA play.

Brandon Pick and Michael Taormina both homered for the D-backs, while

Austin Blodget and Sandon Griffin each contributed key hits in the win.

Jesse Marans scored two runs for the D-backs while newcomer Jedd Thayer

played strong defensively. D-back starting pitcher Sam Cubeiro shut down

the Braves early, and Pick didn’t allow any runs in two relief innings.