Bronco All-Stars advance

The Newport Harbor Baseball Assn. Bronco All-Stars were one of three teams to advance from the Section Tournament that was completed Sunday at York Field in Whittier.

The local squad, which dropped its opener in the tournament, 5-1, defeated Whittier, 9-1, Sunday to clinch a trip to the Region Tournament that begins Thursday in Corona.

Matt Carpenter and Tyler Kiehnle shared pitching duties, with Carpenter giving up two hits and striking out four in the first three innings.

Kiehnle worked four shutout innings in relief, allowing just two hits and striking out two.

Both induced numerous ground balls to let the defense work behind them, Newport Harbor Manager Tony Swies said.

Daniel Albert, who along with Carpenter are the only 11-year-olds on the Bronco Division team (ages 11 and 12), went three for four and scored one run to lead Newport Harbor’s 10-hit attack.

Brett Parker was two for two with two walks and scored one run, while A.J. Swies was two for two and reached base in all our plate appearances.

Carpenter was two for three and scored twice.

Hamilton Randle had the other hit for the winners, who went on to play Dana Point in a game to determine which team would go as the section’s No. 2 representative in the Region Tournament.

Tony Swies rotated several pitchers. He said he offered to flip a coin before the game to decide a winner, but the Dana Point coach declined.

Tony Swies said Dana Point went with its strongest pitchers.

Dana Point led, 9-3, through four innings, before Newport Harbor scored six in the fifth to tie the score.

Dana Point scored in the bottom of the seventh to take a 10-9 win and drop Newport Harbor to 14-3 in the postseason.

Jake Stowell went three for five for Newport Harbor. Albert and Parker were two for twoand A.J. Swies went one for one.

Newport Harbor will play La Costa of San Diego Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Region Tournament.