Waves return home

Aug. 7, 2002 12 AM PT

Bryce Alderton

It wasn’t the ending they hoped for, but the first-year Newport

Waves fought to the end, proudly representing California in the

recently- completed 11-and-under travel baseball World Series.

The first-year team from Newport Beach went 1-3 in the tournament

held July 21-28 that attracted 108 teams from the United States,

Canada and Puerto Rico.

Opposing teams outscored Newport by only five runs in Newport’s

three losses.

“It was a hard way to come home but it taught our kids and now

they’re all fired up,” said Waves’ Manager Michael Griffin.

Newport didn’t quit as Garrett McRoberts hit a two-out, two-strike

pitch for a two-run home run in the top of the sixth to tie Missouri,

4-4, before Missouri scored in its half of the sixth to win, 5-4,

eliminating Newport from the World Series.

McRoberts scored the winning run in Newport’s 6-5, seven-inning

win over the No. 1 team in their pool, the Kansas Hitmen, in Game 3,

which featured five lead changes. Jeff Frum sacrificed McRoberts to

second with a bunt in the seventh and Chris Griffin drove in

McRoberts for the game-winning run.

Mitchell Sands pitched five innings, allowing no runs in the win.

Newport lost its first two tournament games before beating Kansas

in Game 3.

In Game 1, Kevin Osaki hit a three-run home run for the Waves, who

received excellent pitching from Sands in an 8-5 loss to the Oklahoma

City Reds.

The Waves barely missed a chance to tie the Iowa Hitmen in Game 2,

but the Waves’ tying run was thrown out at the plate to end it with

Newport losing, 9-8.

Garrett Gallegos pitched three innings and had two hits including

one that hit the fence, missing a home run by inches.

Newport’s offensive attack was spearheaded by Griffin (8 for 11

with five RBIs), Osaki (6 for 12, double, home run), Gallegos (5 for

8, three RBI’s), McRoberts (5 for 12, home run, five runs), Frum (5

for 12) and Merrett Scott (3 for 6, two walks, three runs).

The defense was anchored by Sands, Aramis Chavez, Alex Holtz, Matt

Morris and Chris Landon.

No rest for the weary as the Waves return to action Saturday and

Sunday playing in the 11-and-under state championship at Mile Square

Park in Fountain Valley. The Waves will also play games Aug. 17-18 in

the tournament.

The Waves will be adding two teams next season and will have open

tryouts the first week in September.

Contact the Waves directly at 1-866-WAVES 43 or at