Youth Scene: Mustangs second at Fall Brawl

The Newport-Mesa girls’ fastpitch softball 10-and-under select team, known as the Mustangs, finished second in the highly competitive Fall Brawl tournament this past weekend in Mission Viejo.

The Mustangs went 5-1, playing four games on Sunday, the championship game against Huntington Beach. The Mustangs had an early lead, but by the fifth inning, the Mustangs were trailing, 9-5. The Mustangs refused to give up and in the sixth inning, the Mustangs tied the score.

Newport Mesa did not score in the top of the seventh. Huntington Beach scored the winning run, ending the game, 10-9. The Mustangs played great as a team with all of the girls contributing throughout the weekend. Many of the girls have played together the past four years, with most of them having participated in the league’s Summer All-Star team that went to the state championships in July.

The Mustangs include Brenna Alvis, Sammy Del Toro, Brooke Franson, Meg Henderson, Lindsey Hoffman, Kendall Machado, Lauren Oberreiter, Kaitlin Seapy, Lauryn Terrazzi, Faith Vanderwall and Payton Williams.

The Mustangs are coached by Kevin Del Toro, Richard Seapy and Chad Machado.

With the second-place finish, the Mustangs move into the more challenging Gold play category.

— Reader submission

Eaters Battle Sharks

The Newport Beach AYSO Region 97 girls’ under-8 division opener saw a great matchup between the Sharks and the local band of One Eyed, One Horned, Flying Purple People Eaters at Ensign field.

Reese Bodas controlled masterfully for the Eaters battling the Shark’s tenacious Delaney Coyne in the first half, who held Bodas scoreless. Before the first half’s close Madison Bashaw and Jenna O’Shea each found daylight and guided in netters leading into halftime.

Dayle Dugan and Carley Palmer worked both ends for the Eaters against the staunch defense of the Sharks, with Ruby Hammond racking up major saves in goal for the Sharks. Sydney Anderson and Sonja Carnal shined for the Sharks who’s Shark Spirit threatened the Eaters with multiple shots on goal in the second half, but the Eaters held.

O’Shea capitalized to repeat for the Eaters late in the game.

— Reader submission