D-backs earn No. 1 seed
Seven different Diamondbacks collected hits in a 14-3 victory over the Cubs in Newport Beach Little League AAA action last week.
With the win, the D-backs (13-3-2) clinched first place over the
Reds, who had the same record, but scored fewer runs when the teams
faced each other. The D-backs also earned a No. 1 seed heading into
the playoffs and qualified for the District 55 Tournament of
Champions.
Paxton O’Brien homered to start the third inning. Blake Miller
doubled twice with singles by Brian Smith, Sandon Griffin, Trent
Boras, Ben Greiner and Cort Hastings.
On the mound, Griffin pitched three scoreless innings, allowing
only one hit and striking out eight of 10 batters he faced. Chandler
Mitchell relieved Griffin in the fourth and final inning.
Reid Johnson went 2 for 2. Allen Brown struck out two in a little
more than one inning for the Cubs.
In other AAA action:
* D-backs 11, Yankees 2
The D-backs scored six runs in the first two innings, highlighted
by hits from Miller and Zach Habler. Mitchell and Austin Barvin, both
left-handers, reached on bunt singles and were joined with hits by
O’Brien and Boras.
The Yankees had only one inning when they sent more than four
batters to the plate as the D-backs’ defense sparkled.
Shortstop Hastings, second baseman Barvin and third baseman Edward
Burgner each made solid plays, giving the pitching trio of Griffin,
Boras and Miller enough support. Griffin, Boras and Miller walked
only three batters and gave up two runs.
The Yankees received production from Benny Townsend, Graeme
Fraser, Tanner Trauthen, Jeremy Fox and Nick Gooding.
* D-backs 10, Reds 2
The D-backs took over first place from the Reds by scoring at
least a run in each inning.
Griffin gave up one run in four innings, walking one and striking
out seven. Miller relieved him and faced one batter more than the
minimum, yielding a run.
First baseman Rodney Keller extended his errorless streak to 14
games and drove in two runs on groundouts.
Greiner and Boras collected two hits each with Mitchell, Burgner,
Habler and Griffin each singling.
J.D. Dawn tallied two hits for the Reds along with singles from
Alec Pastre and Gianni Ferrante.
In Costa Mesa National Little League Farm Division play:
* Giants 13, Astros 12
The Giants shut out the Astros in the final inning to preserve the
victory in the first round of tournament play. The game featured five
lead changes and multiple defensive plays.
Jason Rodriguez and Cody Stoddard each went 3 for 4 with a run
scored for the Giants and recorded several outs at shortstop and
first base, respectively. Every Giant scored at least one run.
Mason Cooper batted 4 for 4 and scored two runs. Teammate Killian
Stading tallied two singles and scored twice. Stephen Snell scored a
run and went 2 for 3. Nick Rubino knocked in two RBIs, had a hit and
scored a run.
Kohl Ponsford added two singles and two runs scored with Conner
Pearce scoring once and tallying an RBI. Zack Shafer singled and
scored a run. Adam Ward tallied two base hits and scored once.
Nicholas Halloran didn’t play due to a broken arm, but looks to
return before the end of the tournament.
The Giants face the Pirates next. The Astros meet the Dodgers.
In Minor B play:
* Rockies 15, D-backs 2
Nico Ruan pitched three innings with Chris DeSoto shutting down
the D-backs in the last two to preserve the win.
DeSoto and Ruan each had three hits with Ruan collecting two
doubles. Matt Hutcherson also doubled along with singles from Robert
Scott and Nick Schimer, all contributing to the nine-hit attack.
Schimer and Garrett Hope performed well at catcher.
Spencer Owens, Brian Stanley, Alex Tenno, Richard Herchuk, Ellwood
Webb and Hope, all scored runs.
* Rockies 16, Mariners 1
DeSoto pitched three scoreless innings allowing one hit and
striking out six Mariners.
Schimer pitched the last two innings, collecting five strikeouts.
Ruan doubled twice for two of his three hits. He was helped on
offense by two-hit performances from Hutcherson (double) and DeSoto.
Stanley, Parker Shoaff, Scott and Herchuk added timely hits and
Owens, Alex Tenno and Webb each stole bases.
Schimer and Hope each called a solid game at catcher.
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