Little League: Red Sox, victims of no-hittter

Steve Virgen

MISSION VIEJO - The District 55 Tournament of Champions can serve

as a lesson. That was the case for the Newport Beach Little League Red

Sox, who displayed nervousness early and could not recover, losing 6-0,

to the Laguna Hills Phillies at Youth Sports Park in Mission Viejo. In

addition, Phillies pitcher Alex St. Pierre threw a no-hitter that

included eight strikeouts and one walk.

The Red Sox allowed three unearned runs in the first inning. But they

regained the composure that led them to an NBLL American Division

regular-season championship. The results after they gathered themselves

included a double play in the third inning. Red Sox shortstop Mitch Sands

scooped up a groundball tagged second for the force out and lined an

accurate throw to first baseman Kai Youngman for the double play.

“When (the Red Sox) took the field, they had the first-inning

jitters,” Red Sox Manager Tim Scott said. “But we settled down and played

good defense. I can’t say enough about (St. Pierre). He was in control.

He threw a nice fastball and a (change-up) that kept are batters off

balance.”

Red Sox pitcher Timmy Leber turned in a solid performance. He struck

out five and allowed just three hits in five innings.

Everyone batted for the Red Sox, who ended their season at 15-5. The

Red Sox held the Reds scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings,

with credit going to Leber, Kevin Holland, Sands, catcher Drew Brahs,

Jacob and Jordon Goulding, Michael Katz, Bunk Hooper, Phillip Patterson,

Ryan Spitzer and Kai Youngman.