D-backs capture championship

The Diamondbacks received solid pitching and limited the Padres to

four hits, led by starting pitcher Kevin Baran-Maguire for two

innings, Christian Ball for three innings and Bret Thompson closing

out the sixth as the D-backs edged the Padres, 5-4, in the Newport

Beach Little League AAA championship game Wednesday at Lincoln

School.

The Padres, under Manager Hugh Clary, won the American League

title while the D-backs, under George Garrett, captured the National

League pennant.

Greg Allen and Grant Garrett provided good defense behind the

plate. Allen threw out a would-be base stealer at second base and

Garrett applied the game-ending tag at the plate on a throw from

center fielder Baran-Maguire.

The D-backs received solid hitting from William Lyle, who went 2

for 3 and scored the first run of the game. Dan Steele and James

Conger each had hits in the game and teamed up to provide good

targets at first base. Michael Robins, Casey Mix, and Scott Pinelli

all contributed on defense and produced two timely hits between them.

Eastbluff School was well represented by the six players on the

team (Ball, Conger, Garrett, Mix, Robins, and Thompson). Thompson,

who batted .530 during the season, pitched and played shortstop, and

Garrett, who batted .550 and played catcher, are best friends from

their pre-school days.

The Padres, who finished with the best win/loss record in the

combined regular season and playoffs at 16-3, were led by shortstop

Michael Doering.

Both teams, in addition to the Cardinals and Red Sox, will

participate in the Tournament of Champions June 5-6, hosted by

Mission Viejo Little League.