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Crescenta Valley 9-10 All-Stars eliminated from Section 2 tourney

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ARCADIA — The Crescenta Valley 9-10 All-Stars baseball team fell behind by five runs in the first inning of its Little League Section 2 game Wednesday against Quartz Hill.

However, the locals battled back to tie the score in the top of the second.

In the bottom of the second, Crescenta Valley gave up two more runs, only to get those runs back in the top of the third to again knot the score.

PHOTOS: Crescenta Valley All-Stars lose to Quartz Hill

Unfortunately for the local squad, that would be the last comeback it could muster on the afternoon. Quartz Hill answered back and tallied five runs in its half of the third. Crescenta couldn’t rally again, eventually falling, 15-9, at the Arcadia National Little League’s Longden Field.

The loss eliminates Crescenta Valley, the Division 16 champion, from the double-elimination tournament. It fell in its opener Tuesday to Encino, 17-7.

“We lost out first game and we were mercy-ruled,” Crescenta Valley Manager Peter Pravikoff said. “So to come back today and make it a tighter game is a big improvement for this group.

“For most of these guys, this is their first experience with playoff baseball like this. They have done a great job this season and they have a lot to be proud of.”
Quartz Hill, the District 51 champion, came into the game facing elimination after losing its opener Tuesday against San Marino, 5-2.

After Crescenta Valley was retired in order to begin the game, Quartz Hill exploded for five runs in the bottom of the first. The Crescenta Valley starting pitcher struggled early, giving up four hits, walking one and hitting a batter in the first.

“Our pitching really wasn’t that good today, it could have been a lot better,” Crescenta Valley’s Brady Scheu said. “We also could have played better in the game.”

Crescenta Valley wasted little time erasing the deficit, scoring five runs in the top of the second to tie the score. Nicolo Terenzi began the inning with a walk, Scheu was hit by a pitch and Diego Pravikoff drew a walk to load the bases. Chance Thomasy followed with a walk to plate the first run and Trent Carey powered a double to center field to score two more runs. The throw on the play dribbled to the backstop and Thomasy was able to come home. Carey then scored on a groundout by Roger Mueller.

Quartz Hill was able to surge ahead, 7-5, with two runs in the bottom of the second.

But once again, Crescenta Valley clawed its way back. Terenzi (one for three with a walk, two runs scored and five stolen bases) singled and eventually stole home and Pravikoff singled and scored on a base hit to right field by Mueller (double, two RBI).

“The kids came out a little tired today and I think that showed,” Peter Pravikoff said. “But they never give up and they just played their hearts out.”

Quartz Hill broken the game open with five runs in the third inning and tacked on three more in the fourth.

Crescenta Valley scored two runs in the fifth inning to make it 15-9, highlighted by a run-scoring double by Mueller.

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