YOUTH SCENE:

BASEBALL

Ocean View Little League Minor B Division

Defenders 12, Thunder 11: Nick Uerling’s hit to the right side scored Matthew Karnowski, helping the defenders win the tight game.

For the Defenders, Tristan Windle, Cooper Malerstein, Nathan Adams Nick Uerling all had excellent hitting performances. Cade Smith had a solid pitching performance, shutting down the Thunder for 1 2/3 innings. Ryan Adams earned the victory as he struck out the final two batters in the top of the last inning to strand the go-ahead run at third. In the bottom of the inning, Karnowski drew a walk and stole second and third. Cole Peterson was then hit by a pitch and stole second.

Uerling then came up and smacked the game-winning hit. Other strong performances included solid fielding by Ian Cook, Jacob Sims and Jacob Ferris. This was an all-out team effort by the Defenders

Minor A Division

Knights 9, Express 8: The Knights had their armor on against the Express. Two multi-run home runs from the Express couldn’t stop the Knights. Outstanding pitching by Ricky Masters, Michael Baker, Jake Legg, Trevor Windisch and closer Chase Foreman kept the Knights in the game. Leading the charge with timely hits were Michael Primich, Ethan Iles, Windisch and Foreman. A much-needed RBI from Joey Durbin came in handy, too. Noah Muta raced around the bases with lightning speed.

Legg took the wind out of the Express when he threw out a runner trying to steal second on a perfect throw to Trevor Windisch.

The crowd gave a standing ovation to Alex Headley for his much-anticipated first contact of the season.

Farm Division

Gauchos vs. Anteaters: Kennedy’s bat was on fire for the Gauchos, with a line-drive double and two RBIs. Kennedy also tagged out a runner at third base for an out. Mejia beat out the runner to first base for an out in the top of the fifth inning as well, and forced out a runner at third base in the top of the sixth. Both the Gauchos and the Anteaters made great plays and showed enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

T-ball Division

Buffaloes vs. Bulldogs: The Buffaloes’ Jake Alvarez registered two putouts in the first inning by cleanly fielding two ground balls and beating the runner to first base.

In the second inning, Collin McCarthy made two unassisted putouts at second base, setting a new Buffaloes team record for number of outs made in a game.

SOFTBALL

North Huntington Beach Girls’ Softball 14-and-under Division

Black Flag 13, Rage 6: Black Flag started out hot, with Justice Walker’s grand slam. The Rage answered back soundly with three runs of its own. Two walks and a single by Nikki Derleth then loaded the bases for Walker, whose triple scored two more, and Black Flag added two more runs, as well.

HB Rage couldn’t be quieted, though, getting back three runs on a Carly Van der Hyde homer and three Black Flag errors that turned a single by Paige Messer into a home run.

Black Flag rebounded with a solid triple hit by Devon Kelley-Hickman, who was hit in by a sacrifice by Christine Verduzco, and a triple by Derleth with one on.

HB Black Flag shut down the next four HB Rage batters with solid defense, finishing off the win.