Rotary shines in LBLL
Rotary had its offense in high-gear for its two Intermediate Division games this week and it resulted in a pair of victories in Laguna Beach Little League action.
In its first game, Rotary combined its offensive prowess with a standout pitching effort by three players to score an 11-0 shutout of Laguna Niguel Oregon. Jack Payne, Chase Hall and Griffin Naess combined on a one hitter. Rotary banged out 13 hits in the game, starting with a lead-off single by Bryce Ford. Ten of 12 players had hits in the game.
On Wednesday, Rotary traveled to Laguna Niguel TCU. Again, the bats were hot as Payne and Hall each collected three hits, and Naess, Ford, Gapp, Carter Johnson and Sam Marzulli also had hits and reached base multiple times. Pitchers Payne, Ford, Hall, Naess and Jett Hamil tamed TCU and Rotary took a 17-6 victory.
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UPS Yankees down Gapp Construction
Fueled by a big, two-run home run by Sam Burchi, the UPS Yankees defeated Gapp Construction, 15-3, in a Laguna Beach Little League AAA Division game Wednesday.
It is believed to be the first home run hit by a nine-year-old at Riddle Field in 30 years. Burchi almost homered twice. In his next at-bat, he sent a shot off the same wall he had cleared for his homer in the previous inning.
UPS was also aided by outstanding efforts from Charlie Tyus (two for three, three runs), Chris Hemsley, Ryan Loughlin, Andre Nunn, Noah Neufeld, Gehrig Mackey and Jack Gallo. Ray Ameen recorded his first-ever hit in his first season of baseball. He crushed a double to right-center field, scoring two runs. Ameen also made two outstanding plays in the field. Andre Nunn also gave an outstanding offensive performance for UPS.
On the mound, the UPS pitchers allowed only two hits. Mackey started and setting the tone. Nunn, Luke Bruderer and Tyus also pitched superbly, and Neufeld closed with three consecutive, electrifying strikeouts.
For Gapp, Jackson Rowley and Camden Dowers stood out, each hitting solid doubles to right-center field. They also were integral in a fantastic play at the plate during the game.
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Girls’ Basketball
The Laguna Beach Breakers girls’ fourth-grade team turned in an outstanding season in National Junior Basketball Division 3 competition.
The Breakers won 10 of 11 games during the regular season, their 10 victories coming by an average of 28.2 points, their lone loss by just two points. They then went on to win their division at the postseason NJB Championship Tournament.
Placed in the highest bracket in the tournament due to their overall record, the Breakers proceeded to defeat the Los Alamitos Comets, 13-5, and the Fullerton Warriors, 21-9, to finish in first-place in their division in Orange County.
“Our team had a formidable defense, and only three of our opponents scored over 10 points the entire season,” Laguna Coach Jennifer Seybold said.
The Breakers moved up form its Division 3 standing to play in the NJB All-Stars competition last weekend. In their first two games Saturday, they defeated the Encinitas Ballerz, 38-30, and lost, 27-18, to Mission Viejo-MGB, at Saddleback Valley Sports Center in Lake Forest. On Sunday, they were edged by the Los Alamitos Griffins, 20-19, at Heritage Oak Private School in Yorba Linda.
Laguna only had six players available for both games Saturday and the NJB “Player Advantage” rule gave Encinitas and Mission Viejo, each with a 10-player roster, an additional eight points for their respective game against the Breakers. The Breakers suited up seven players Sunday against Los Alamitos, and the Griffins started the game with an additional four points due to the Player Advantage rule, and ended up with a one-point victory.
The Breakers, with a third-place finish in their tournament bracket, received an invitation to the upcoming NJB National All-Star Tournament.
The Laguna Beach Breakers fourth-grade girls’ team is Sydney Ford, Elaina Seybold, Molly Riehle, Coco Black, Riley Beason, Shannon Hackett, Claire Turner and Kira Clark.
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