Newport Beach Little League: Giants force extra innings, then

defeat Reds

NEWPORT BEACH - In a game that saw four lead changes, the Giants

took the fourth and most important one, a 4-3 win over the Reds in in a

first-round playoff game in the Newport Beach Little League AAA playoffs.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh and the score tied, 3-3, the

Giants’ Mitch Gardner (three hits) singled in the infield, moved to

second on an overthrow and stole third to set the stage for Jack Gerdau,

who also pitched three innings with four strikeouts. Gerdau passed the

test, singling to left field to drive in the winning run.

The back-and-forth contest pitted two teams that battled from start to

finish.

The Reds opened the scoring when Matt Ruiz (two hits) singled and

eventually scored from third on an infield hit by Patrick Vorwerck.

The Giants countered in the second inning, tying the game, 1-1, as

Grant Davis, who threw a runner out at the plate from left field later in

the game, doubled to left field to score Beau Attyah, who singled to lead

off the inning.

The Giants took the lead in the third when Michael Hayde singled and

eventually scored from third on a passed ball.

The Reds rallied in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead behind the hitting

of Parker Stone (two hits) and Ruiz. The Giants scored in the bottom of

the sixth to send the game to extra innings.

Peter Weidner and Jamie Heinecke, who pitched three innings, allowing

an unearned run, hit well for the Giants.

Josh Harrison pitched a scoreless seventh for the win.

Blake Brady also pitched for the Reds, as Chris Seagren and Cameron

Holmes made some sound defensive plays.