Newport Beach Little League: Koss and Nicholson one-hit Cardinals

NEWPORT BEACH - One more win and the Braves equal their

regular-season total.

The Braves downed the Cardinals, 2-1, in a Newport Beach Little League

Majors Division playoff baseball game on steady pitching and timely

hitting.

Thomas Koss and Camden Nicholson, who pitched the final three innings

allowing no hits and no baserunners, combined on the one-hitter in six

innings.

The Braves scored both runs in the first, after Nicholson singled and

scored on Thomas Dialynas’ triple. Koss then grounded into a fielder’s

choice, allowing Dialynas to score the second and final Braves’ run. Jeff

Jones added a triple in the inning. Kevin Tsau ad Andrew Fulcher also

singled for the Braves.

Strong Braves defense was provided by Grant Keligion, Max Frisbie,

Ricky Townsend, Noah Molnar and Alex Schafnitz.

The Cardinals were led by strong pitching from Aaron Northcraft and

solid defense by James Petrilli, Reed Zachman and Michael Bloom.

In AAA playoff action:

* Angels 9, Reds 7 - The Angels’ Brian Hurst was all over the field,

hitting, pitching and making sound defensive plays in a 9-7 Angel victory

over the Reds in a May 23 Newport Beach Little League playoff game.

In addition to pitching, Hurst also played a strong shortstop and

collected three hits, while scoring three times in the win.

Doug Watt, who shared mound duties with Hurst, collected three hits

and scored two runs.

Dillon Campbell and Kyle Warsaw each had two hits. Cory Donovan added

a triple and Brennan Andersen and D.J. Hauser each doubled for the

Angels.

Karl Fletcher flashed some leather in the field, turning an unassisted

double play.

The Reds’ hitting attack was led by Parker Stone and Patrick Vorwerck,

who each had three hits, and Matt Ruiz, who added two hits including a

home run. Cameron Koziara pitched well for the Reds.