Encino Finishes 2nd in Pony World Series

Seoul overcame an early deficit and scored 10 unanswered runs off four pitchers to defeat Encino, 10-3, Thursday and win the Pony World Series championship.

Encino, which advanced out of the Western Zone, needed to win two games against the South Koreans to claim the championship. Seoul, which did not lose in the World Series, had to win only one game.

The game started as if Encino would force another when it scored three times in the top of the first inning against Seoul starter Hwang Jae Hyun. They were the first earned runs Hyun had allowed in 22 innings.

With one out, Encino’s Glen Carson singled, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on Steve Chavez’s single. Francisco Flores singled to put runners on first and second before Chavez stole third.

Hyun’s balk scored Chavez, and Justin Paperny singled to drive home Flores.

“We came out swinging the bats,” Encino Coach P. C. Shaw said, “and Hyun came out a little rusty. He should be in a different league. He’s just head and shoulders above the rest. He’s got legs like Bo Jackson.”

Hyun knows baseball.

The right-hander struck out 12 and allowed just three hits in shutting out Encino over the final six innings.

Seoul answered Encino with Kang Hyuk’s solo home run in the first and three more runs in the second on four hits and a walk. Seoul scored twice in the fourth and four times in the sixth, including a solo home run by Sohn Suk Han, to finish off Encino.

“They hit the ball,” Shaw said. “Our pitchers did not do that poorly. They hit ground balls with eyes.”

Cesar Martinez, Kevin Deitch, Chavez and Flores each batted better than .400 in the tournament for Encino, which finished 17-4. Seoul was 10-0.

Not only did Encino claim its runner-up distinction, the team was given the tournament’s sportsmanship award.