Rested Ocean View Cruises On

The Ocean View all-star team needed a respite from its quest to get to the Little League World Series, so last week Coach Yun Conger took his players from scorching San Bernardino on an unauthorized trip home to Huntington Beach for practice and a night in their own beds.

Although Little League rules require teams to remain in the tournament complex during the regional, Conger’s maneuver apparently did the trick. Ocean View crushed Canyon Del Oro of Tucson, 14-3, Saturday night in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule. Ocean View, which improved to 3-0 in the double elimination part of the regional, is 16-1 overall and can advance to the final of the 15-team tournament with a victory Tuesday against an opponent to be determined. The final is Thursday.

Ocean View is two victories away from becoming the eighth Orange County team to make it to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Upon Ocean View’s return to the regional complex with the team Saturday afternoon, Conger was warned that if he violates any more rules, he will be banned from going to Williamsport, should the team advance.

“It certainly helped us,” Conger said of the trip, which included three hours of batting practice at the team’s home field. “I knew it was wrong and I got punished when I got back, but it was well worth it.”

During the workouts Huntington Beach, Conger complained that his players weren’t concentrating at the plate. They had no such problems Saturday and dominated like they usually do on the mound.

With an announced crowd of 9,942 at Al Houghton Stadium looking on, pitching once again was the difference.

Ocean View’s Trey Valbuena pitched four innings, gave up one hit, struck out six and did not give up an earned run. Canyon Del Oro starter Roland Trujillo had five wild pitches in the first inning, helping Ocean View to a 3-0 lead.

Canyon Del Oro reliever Lanny Lau gave up a three-run home run to James Vandoornum, his fourth of the playoffs, a two-run homer to Chris Palmer, his second, in the fourth and a towering grand slam to right by the coach’s son Hank Conger, his 11th, in the fifth.

Valbuena said the Ocean View pitching staff is deep. “Whoever has the ball is No. 1,” said Valbuena, who is 3-0. “If he has problems, we come back with another No. 1 pitcher.”