Mariners win NBLL thriller

Trailing, 5-1, after three innings, the Mariners responded with eight

runs to down the Red Sox, 9-8, in Newport Beach Little League AAA

play.

The Mariners rallied for five runs with two outs in the fourth

inning on timely hitting from Andrew Machoskie and Chris Alvarez.

Devin Gunay and Austin Blodgett provided solid play and pinch-runner

Dean Murdoch stole home for a key run.

Alvarez and Mitch Gardner combined for 11 strikeouts, seven by

Gardner, on the mound.

In other AAA play:

* Mariners 16, Dodgers 2

Steve Clapp homered in the third as the Mariners scored six runs

to break the game open.

The Mariners came right back to score five runs in the fifth

inning, with Riley Conroy and Will Nord each driving in a run. J.B.

Salem’s triple scored two runs as well.

Patrick Malanga scored a run and contributed solid play.

* Giants 17, A’s 6

The Giants pounded 12 hits in the convincing victory.

Grant Davis led the Giants with three hits followed by two apiece

by Ashley Varner and Matt Wilkirson. James Conger, Austin Jones and

Jack Schloemer each tallied one hit while Molnar tripled and Nick

Curci doubled.

Schloemer started on the hill and was relieved by Molnar.

Davis made a diving catch in center field and was also solid

behind the plate.

The Giants improved to 5-2, while the A’s fell to 2-5.

In Newport Harbor Baseball Association Mustang (9-10-year olds)

action:

* Cubs 6, Rangers 5

The Cubs edged the Rangers in a game pitting two

previously-unbeaten teams.

Aaron Cervantes drove in three runs for the Cubs (5-0) and Austin

Rios drove in two on a home run over the left center-field fence, his

first of the season

The Rangers (4-1) kept the pressure on with the 1-2 punch of Blair

Luchs and Michael Salam, who combined to go 5 for 6 and drove in all

the Ranger runs.

Connor LoMenzo started for the Cubs and pitched two shut out

innings while Rios was strong over the final two innings, striking

out six of the seven batters he faced.

Luchs struck out six in the last two innings for the Rangers.

Cervantes went 2 for 2 with three RBIs, one run and one walk for

the Cubs while Rios wet 2 for 2 with two RBIs, one home run, two runs

scored, and six strikeouts. LoMenzo went 1 for 3 with one run scored

and struck out two in two innings while Luchs went 3 for 3 with three

RBIs, two runs scored and collected six strikeouts in two innings on

the mound.

Salam posted a 2 for 3 output at the plate with two RBIs.