YOUTH SCENE: Hobie bests VFW in Majors game

Team Hobie posted a late rally to overcome a three-run deficit to VFW in their Majors Baseball Division game Tuesday and emerged with a 5-4 victory in Laguna Beach Little League action at Riddle Field.

Neither team was able to score in the first two innings, but VFW took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Brett Dunlavey tripled and later stole home. Hobie managed to post the tying run in the bottom of the third.

That score stood until the top of the fifth inning where VFW bats came alive to produce three runs and a 4-1 lead. The runs came from a combination of Zeth Smith’s reaching base, consecutive singles by Dunlavey and Nathan Sweet, and Adam Farscheed’s monstrous triple.

As it had done in the third inning, Hobie retaliated in the bottom-half of the fifth.

This time, Cole Hutson drew a walk, Hunter Henderson and Sundance Severino came up with infield singles, Cameron Hall and Garrett Burk doubled and Jordan Watkins and Cole Zarinelli each singled later in the inning to highlight a four-run inning. Sweet snagged a line drive at first base to help VFW get out of the inning.

With his team up 5-4, Hall, in a relief effort, needed only nine pitches to record the final five outs for Hobie. In the sixth, he got some key defensive help when Severino, Burk and Morgan Lebby combined for a double play.

Lebby threw the first 4 1/3 innings for Hobie and registered eight strikeouts with no walks.

TRACK AND FIELD

The following youth Division I runners for the Laguna Beach city track team qualified for the OCMAA Championships Saturday at Guyer Field.

From the boys’ team, Scotty Plowdentook first place in the 50 meters with a time of 11.48 and third place in the 100 in 22.82. Christian Henrycame in first in both the 100 and 200 with times of 19.92 and 42.07, respectively. Aiden Blantontook second place in the 100 and 200 in 23.05 and 50.9, and also won the long jump (6 feet, 5 inches).

From the girls’ team, Karmen Schmidtook first place in the 50, 100 and 200 races with times of 10.22, 20.57 and 47.7. Jordan Morrisplaced second in the 50 and 100 in 10.9 and 20.84. Morgan Van Alpha took second place in the 200 in 50.05, fourth place in the 50 and 100 with times of 13.1 and 23.57, and placed first in long jump (6-2). Caroline Harryran the 50 in 11.41, taking third place.

The runners will compete in the county meet May 4 at Guyer Field.

Drop-in basketball offered

Basketball players are invited to drop in and play Sunday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Dugger Gym; also Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m. at Thurston Middle School. Free for ages 18 and younger.

Learn beach volleyball

Lower level players can make friends and practice passing, setting, serving, hitting, defense and basic strategies with coach Kirk Morgan from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at Main Beach. Ages 16 and older. $57 for six classes.

Advanced players can work on core strength, ball control, flexibility and tournament strategy with coach Kirk Morgan from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Main Beach. Ages 16 and older. $57 for six classes.

Track and field clinic

Youth runners can improve on the basics of track and field while preparing for the OCMAA track meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Guyer Field. Coach Fred Pichay will focus on endurance, strength, speed and jumping drills. Teens will practice the shot put and ages 12 and younger will practice the softball throw. $32 per youth, and $16 per additional family member.