BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Fake Bunt, Full Swing Give Tustin a 5-4 Victory

A phantom bunt helped Tustin defeat Newport Harbor, 5-4, in a Sea View League baseball game Friday at Newport Harbor High School.

In the top of the seventh inning with the score tied, 4-4, Tustin put runners on first and second with no outs. Then, Tustin Coach Vince Brown had Brett Hardy fake a sacrifice bunt on the first pitch.

When Newport Harbor reliever Ryan Anderson delivered the second pitch, third baseman Chris Bowen and first baseman charged toward home plate.

But Hardy, who had three runs batted in, took a full swing and grounded the ball through the hole vacated by Newport Harbor shortstop Matt Stewart, who broke to cover second base. Chad Bickley, who was hit by a pitch to open the inning, scored from second base easily with the eventual game-winning run.

Zach Elliott earned his first victory of the season for Tustin (6-3, 4-0), pitching three hitless innings of relief while striking out four and walking one.

Newport Harbor (3-6-1, 0-3-1) shook up Tustin early by scoring three first-inning runs. Ryan Anderson highlighted the rally hitting a two-run double to give the Sailors a 3-0 lead.

Tustin tied it, 3-3, with three runs in the top of the third inning. Hardy bounced a two-run single off the glove of Stewart to score Nick Cantu and Elliott.