Riordan Leads Hit Brigade in 7-5 Victory

They’ve been sequestered and placed in military-style lodgings and are playing in triple-digit temperatures.

But the conditions haven’t affected the members of the Westlake-Royal Oak American Legion baseball team, which defeated Ontario, 7-5, in a first-round game Saturday at the state tournament.

Westlake-Royal Oak (29-3-1) plays today at noon against Merced in the six-team double-elimination tournament.

“There aren’t any phones, the kids are bunked up together in cots and it’s very hot,” Westlake-Royal Oak Coach Mike McClure said. “It’s a different atmosphere, but the kids have responded great to it.”

Ontario scored first with three runs in the top of the third, knocking out starter Jeff Smith.

But in the bottom of the inning, Matt Riordan hit a two-run, bases-loaded double, and Kevin Mellinger followed with a two-run single for a 4-3 lead. Mellinger later scored on a passed ball.

Riordan, who had three of the team’s 11 hits and added three runs batted in, tripled home Brent Egan in the fourth for a 6-3 advantage.

After Ontario cut the deficit to 6-5 with a two-run sixth, Riordan scored on a double by Matt Pitstick in the bottom of the inning.

Jay Kenny (10-0) pitched seven innings in relief of Smith, allowing two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.