Van Nuys Takes Out Frustration

The Van Nuys Show Ball team was in a foul mood Sunday after losing 18-7 to defending champion Danville in the first round Saturday at the American Legion state baseball tournament.

That meant bad news for Lakewood. Van Nuys scored seven runs in the third inning and six more in the fourth to eliminate Lakewood, 16-5, in a game shortened to seven innings because of the 10-run rule.

Van Nuys (30-3) will face Sacramento Southside at 9 a.m. today in an elimination game at the Veterans Home of California’s Cleve Borman Field. Should Van Nuys defeat Southside, it will play at 3 p.m. today against the loser of Chino and Danville, which play at 12:30 p.m. Chino remained undefeated by defeating Stockton Karl Ross, 14-3, and Danville won its second consecutive game with a 12-1 victory over Southside.

Felipe Tetelboin led the offensive charge Sunday for Show Ball with four hits in five at-bats, and four runs batted in. He had a double and a home run.

“We felt [Saturday’s] game was the championship game,” Tetelboin said. “We want to see Danville again.”

Tetelboin wasn’t the only one that pulverized Lakewood pitching.

Leadoff batter James Rivero had two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs, Jonathan Brewster had three doubles and three RBIs, and Alec Moss had a single, double and two RBIs.

After a rough start, Van Nuys pitcher Mike Marble (7-) was able to last five innings.

Marble struck out four but allowed four runs in the first two innings on three hits. He gave up one hit and one run the rest of the way.

“I think we were ready to play [Sunday],” Van Nuys Coach Jody Breeden said. “Hitting is contagious. We will be ready to come and play [today].”

Van Nuys also received a couple of outstanding defensive plays from second baseman Brendan Ryan.

Lakewood was led by third baseman John Banach, who drove in three runs with two homers. Chris Basaldua also had two hits.