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.