YOUTH SCENE

NEWPORT’S RUN ENDS

ALISO VIEJO — The Newport Beach American Little League 10-11 year-old All-Star team was eliminated from the District 55 tournament Tuesday after falling in a losers’ bracket semifinal, 4-0, to Laguna Niguel at Woodfield Park.

Laguna Niguel struck early with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first, and added single runs in the third and fourth. Newport Beach threatened in the fifth, when Jake Hastings was hit by a pitch and Cameron Hook doubled down the third-base line.

With runners on second and third and two outs, Max Kline hit a fly ball to shallow left, which caused the left fielder and Laguna Niguel shortstop Luke Williams to collide. But Williams made the over-the-shoulder catch, saving a pair of runs.

Hook was stellar on the mound for Newport Beach American, throwing a complete game in only 58 pitches. He had six strikeouts, no walks and gave up only five hits. Hook’s double in the fifth also made him a scorching eight for 12 (.667) in the tourney.

Newport Beach American, which advanced to the final four of the 10-11 division, also got solid pitching from Parker Reposa, Sherwin Gersten and Kline through the tournament. The infield of Kevin Fults, Hastings, Will Hinkelman, Logan Miller and Augie Miller made one error the entire tournament.

Jake Giffin and Austin Percy continued their stellar outfield play, with Percy making a one-handed diving catch in left field Tuesday. Andrew Larsen returned to play by making a dazzling play from third base to second.

Shawn Miller managed the team, assisted by Jon Kline and Duane Hastings.

— From staff reports