Second Loss in Row Eliminates Van Nuys From Legion Play

The Area 6 American Legion baseball tournament wasn’t very hospitable to Van Nuys-Notre Dame.

The District 20 champion dropped its second game in as many days Friday, losing, 14-13, to Arcadia at Ralph Welch Field in Pomona. The loss eliminated Van Nuys from the six-team, double-elimination tournament.

Van Nuys, which blew three leads, allowed two unearned runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to give Arcadia a 14-11 lead. Van Nuys (21-13) came back with two runs in the bottom of the ninth on Jeff Antoon’s single, then loaded the bases when Arcadia shortstop James Aiwasian booted a double-play ball with one out. But Vinnie Orlando grounded into a double play to end Van Nuys’ legion season.

Antoon went 4 for 5 with four runs batted in to lead Van Nuys. Steve Collela had two doubles and Bobby Hughes, Kevin Milligan, Orlando and Mike Peterson each had two hits.

Jon Graves went 3 for 5 and Richard Lang had two hits for Arcadia (19-10).