VFW closes in on Majors crown

Mike Sciacca

VFW went through its batting order in the first inning of its recent

game with Sportsworld, and marched on to a 13-0 victory and into the

championship round of the Laguna Beach Little League Majors Division

playoffs.

VFW will meet rival Laguna Surf and Sport this week for the Majors

Division tournament title.

With its entire lineup getting to the plate in the opening frame, VFW

was able to score four runs. Their bats were silent until two out in the

fourth inning, though, when six consecutive hits produced five more runs

for a 9-0 lead.

In the fifth and final frame, Kevin Buck and Devin Hands each had

two-run scoring hits to complete the scoring.

Hands finished the day with three hits and five RBI in four trips to

the plate.

Colby Ammerman and Cooper Gwaltney each chipped in two RBI and Gabe

Stansbury had three hits and knocked in a run.

Every VFW player who had a plate appearance had at least one hit. Two

players -- Keegan Valaika and Matt Austin, each had two hits.

Charles Moothart, Drake Dixon and Will Armstrong each singled.

Buck was scheduled to start on the mound but an injury prevented him

from doing so. Instead, Stansbury was pressed into action and turned in a

stellar performance, allowing just one hit and three base runners in five

innings.

He finished with nine strikeouts.

Moothart keyed the VFW defense with two outs at shortstop and a

tumbling catch in left field. Hands played well in center field and at

shortstop.