Costa Mesa National Little League: Cardinals’ Gross stars in the

field and at the plate

COSTA MESA - Aaron Gross singled to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead

in the second, but it was just the start of what was to become a

successful day for the Cardinal left fielder.

In a game that featured three lead changes, Gross made arguably the

game’s most important play in the bottom of the sixth with two outs, one

run in and two Dodgers on base, when he dove to catch a ball to end the

game, 5-4, in a Costa Mesa National Little League Majors Division

baseball game.

In the top of the sixth, Gross brought home the game-winning run when

he hit a fly ball to center to score Peter Frydendall, who singled down

the third base line to plate two runners.

Gross made another outstanding defensive play in the bottom of the

fifth, when he threw out a runner trying to score on a Bryan Bennett

single. Bennett later scored on a double by Dodger pitcher Justin Long,

who went six innings, striking out seven.

Garrick Williams, who singled and scored in the sixth, pitched well

for the Cardinals, striking out six in four innings, while reliever Ryan

Knapp pitched the final two innings striking out three.

The Dodgers scored two in the third to take a 2-1 lead on a double by

Nick Peterson and singles by Long and Matt Telles.

The Cardinals took the lead for good in the top of the sixth, with

help from a bunt single by Nick Falbo and a single from Johnny Person,

who came around to score on a Dodger throwng error to take a 4-3 lead.

The Cardinals tacked on an insurance run on Gross’ sacrifice fly.

In other Majors Division action:

* Astros 8, White Sox 1 - Taylor West struck out 13 White Sox hitters

en route to an 8-1 victory.

West went the full six innings walking two, allowing two runs while

scattering five hits, and also made a stellar defensive play when she

went behind the mound to field an ground ball. She tripped over the

mound, but managed to maintain her composure and fired a strike to first

to get the out.

She also got help along the way from her teammates, who scored five

runs in the third to stake West to 6-1 lead she wouldn’t relinquish.

The Astros were led by Bradley Fisher (three hits), Austin Evet (two

hits), Mike Cedeno (double) and singles by Frank Denower, Kyle Lux and

Josh Ryding. Defensively the Astros were led by Blake Roerdink, Kevin

Wright and Gilbert Beas.

* Astros 1, Marlins 0 - Steady defense and a complete-game shutout by

Astros pitcher Josh Ryding gave the Astros the win over the Marlins.

Ryding held the Marlins to two hits while striking out six and walking

two.

The only run of the game came in the first when leadoff batter Austin

Evet singled up the middle and eventually scored on an RBI single by

Bradley Fisher. The Marlins threatened to score twice, but Blake

Rowerdink, Kevin Wright, Gilbert Beas and Frank Denoewer made strong

defensive plays.