‘Distracted’ Moorpark Team Loses First Game of Little League Series

Wound far too tight, Moorpark unraveled early and fell to Cranston, R.I., 5-1, Monday night before 12,000 in the first round of the Little League World Series.

Brett Bell hit a two-run home run to cap a three-run first inning and pitched a four-hitter against a Moorpark team that did not mount a serious rally until the fifth-inning of the six-inning game.

“Our intent was to play loose like we did in the regional, but we were nervous and distracted,” Manager Hector Garcia said. “We didn’t really loosen up until the fourth inning or so.”

Moorpark, which came through the losers’ bracket to win three of its four previous tournaments, could benefit from the World Series format that has each of the four U.S. teams play one another. The two teams with the best records after pool play advance to the national championship game Friday.

Moorpark will play Marshalltown, Iowa, at 11 a.m. today.

Two years ago, Northridge dropped its first game and rebounded to win the national title.

“This was only one game and we are still here,” Garcia said. “We’ll be a lot more relaxed.”

Beto Macias, a left-hander, pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings in relief of Aaron Garcia.