Ocean View forces 9/10 rubber match

HUNTINGTON BEACH — The Major League Baseball Home Run Derby is Monday.

But the Ocean View Little League 9/10 All-Star team did its best impression Wednesday night at the Huntington Valley Little League fields.

Hagen Danner, Nick Pratto and Justin Cianca all launched home runs as Ocean View topped Robinwood, 10-0, in four innings. The win forces a decisive third game for the District 62 title, to be held at 5:30 p.m. today at the same venue.

Nick Pratto threw a perfect game, striking out 10. He did not allow a ball hit out of the infield.

Ocean View has to feel good about its chances tonight, as well. Manager Jeff Pratto said his team will throw its other ace pitcher, Danner, tonight to try to clinch a spot in the sectional tournament.

“We had all our pitching lined up, and we still have all our pitching lined up,” Pratto said. “We have our other ace going [today]. I feel good. We play anything like we did [Wednesday], we’ll be in real good shape.”

Robinwood and pitcher Braydon Salzman had defeated Ocean View, 6-4, on Tuesday. But the next day it was Ocean View that jumped ahead. OVLL scored four runs in the third inning, as Anthony Martinez, Trevor Windisch, Danner and Pratto all reached and scored. Pratto had a two-RBI single.

The next inning, it was time to play long ball. With two outs, Martinez singled, and he was doubled home by Windisch. Danner then launched a homer to center, and, after a pitching change, Nick Pratto followed with a homer to right. After Jason Mayorga reached, Cianca connected on another homer to center.

“[We have] consistent hitting form top to bottom, good aggressive base-running and reliable pitching,” Jeff Prato said. “[Tuesday’s loss] was just a little mental lapse, a little lull in our desire I think. That’s what set us back, and Salzman pitched a good game yesterday.”