Robinwood drops two as season comes to an end

Without its full pitching staff available for its next journey into the postseason, the Robinwood Little League Majors Division All-Star team found the going tough in the Section 5 Tournament.

Robinwood dropped its opener double-elimination event on July 20, 6-5, to North Sunrise. On Saturday, the locals were eliminated from title contention following a 9-0 loss to Laguna Hills.

The Majors All-Star tournament is hosted by Trabuco Canyon Little League.

North Sunrise 6, Robinwood 5

District 62 champion Robinwood was primed to win its opener as it took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, where District 30 winner North Sunrise rallied for five runs and the win to stun the locals.

Robinwood was clinging to a 2-1 lead entering the fifth inning, where it padded its advantage by scoring three runs in the top-half of the frame. Two of those runs came on a two-run homer by Cole Bradshaw. The third run of the inning came when Austin Olivas doubled, then was doubled home by Travis Sparks.

Bradshaw, one of Robinwood’s two aces, started on the mound for Ocean View. Manager Scott Wagers had given the starting nod to the other ace, Dustin Mouridian, but the right-hander suffered fractured and sprained fingers on his throwing hand two days before the game.

Mouridian had posted a 2-0 record in District 62 tournament play the week before the Section tournament got under way.

“It’s tough to lose one of your key pitchers right before the tournament starts,” Wagers said. “A team needs to be at full strength if it hopes to compete at Sections.”

Laguna Hills 9, Robinwood 0

Robinwood’s offense never got untracked, and Laguna Hills stayed alive in the tournament by eliminating the locals.

Robinwood had won all four games to win the District 62 title earlier this month to advance to the Section tournament for just the fourth time in league history.

Wagers said that eight players on the Robinwood roster were 11-year-olds.

“We had a great run,” Wagers said. “I think if we had Dusty (Mouridian) healthy, we could have won a game or two at Sections.”

The Robinwood Majors All-Star are Nick Varelas, Dustin Wagers, Cole Bradshaw, Dustin Mouridian, Austin Baker, Travis Sparks, Adam Daymude, Trevor Zeller, Josh Brackemyer, Jonathan Abernatha, Justin Neese, Austin Olivas, Keegan Reeser, Manager Scott Wagers and coaches Doug Reeser and Lee Zeller.