American Legion Baseball : Reisner’s Versatility Saves Woodland Hills East, 5-1

Brett Reisner came through in the fifth with his glove, and then with his bat. And thanks to his efforts, his Woodland Hills East teammates are alive to play another day in the District 20 playoffs.

Reisner made an over-the-shoulder catch in left field to save at least two runs and then lined a two-run single in the bottom of the inning to lead East to a 5-1 win Friday over Encino-Crespi in a third-round consolation-bracket at Pierce College.

With two Encino-Crespi runners aboard and East leading, 3-0, Reisner made a catch in deep left of Chris Romero’s drive. His single in the bottom of the inning gave East pitcher Eric Rothman a couple of insurance runs.

Rothman (4-3), a right-hander, pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing seven hits. He walked one and struck out none.

East (15-10) will play Newhall-Saugus today at 11 a.m. at Birmingham High.

Jason Shapiro, Reisner and Allen Puana each had two hits for East.

Outfielder Mark Venturine had two hits for Encino-Crespi, which finished 14-11.

In another District 20 playoff game:

Newhall-Saugus 4, Lancaster 2--Outfielder Ben Ealy was five for five and scored two runs in a third-round consolation game at Birmingham.

Left-hander Scott Warr (3-3) threw a seven-hitter, struck out three and walked six. It was his third victory over Lancaster.

Corey Byars was two for five with an RBI for Newhall-Saugus (19-6), which plays Woodland Hills East today at 11 a.m. at Birmingham.

Newhall-Saugus will start right-hander Doug Maggiora.