Hyden, Rotary cycle past VFW

Michael Hyden turned in a top-notch performance at Riddle Field that

he won’t soon forget.

Hyden put on one of the more memorable offensive shows in recent

Laguna Beach Little League history by hitting the cycle in leading

Rotary to a 21-3 Majors Division victory over VFW.

Hyden’s four-for-four performance was highlighted by a towering

grand slam over the fence in center field in his final at-bat.

In addition to his home run, his single, double and triple added

up to eight RBIs, which led Rotary’s 15-hit attack.

Also showing offensive prowess was Shane Takabayashi, who

registered three hits in three at-bats, including a third-inning

double.

Teammates Alec Loechner, Travis Sampson and Tyler Kesler each

contributed hits, with Kesler hitting a double in the fourth inning.

Jake Glazer and Ryan Takabayashi each singled to round out

Rotary’s best offensive showing of the season.

In a game where everything clicked for Rotary and little went

right for VFW, Rotary’s pitching and defense were also sharp.

Shane Takabayashi and Glazer shared mound duties and combined to

set down VFW’s first nine batters in order. They struck out four

during that stretch and were backed by the defensive play of Kesler,

Loechner, Alex LeBon and Brogan O’Bryan.

VFW’s big inning was the fourth, where James Lavery singled, Tyler

Pierce hit an RBI single and Rex Strombotne and Blake Hester each

drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the final two VFW runs.

VFW still had the bases loaded and was threatening to add to its

three-run output in the fourth, but LeBon, in relief work for Rotary,

got out of the jam.

The win improved Rotary’s record to 9-4.