American Legion picks up a pair

With its offense in high gear and Cole Kesler dominating on the mound, American Legion of Laguna Beach Little League defeated the San Juan Angels, 10-0.

Kesler, throwing off-speed and working the corners of the plate, needed just 67 pitches to shut down the Angels. He gave up just two hits and a walk while striking out eight.

He was backed by a defense that played error-free. Robbie McInerny, Nico Darras, Grifan Fair, Travis Clawson, Josh Gillette, Robert Clemons and Riley Lozano all made key plays in the field for American Legion.

Offensively, American Legion got off to a quick start, scoring three runs in its first at-bat. A single by Clawson and walks to Darras and Fair, followed by singles by Lozano and Kesler, produced the first three runs.

It became 5-0 in the third inning, after Darras doubled off the wall and McInerny homered over the wall in centerfield, his first home run of the year.

Mitchell Kimball reached base, stole both second and third, then sped home to make it 6-0 in the fourth. In the fifth, Darras connected on his third home run of the year, this one, with Clawson on base, to increase the lead to 8-0.

American Legion scored its final two runs in the sixth. Following a lead-off walk to Lozano and single by Kesler, Clemons singled home both runners to complete the 10-run victory.

Andrew Castro singled and stole a base in the fifth for American Legion.