La Crescenta Babe Ruth Team Captures Crown

The La Crescenta Babe Ruth 13-Year-Old Tournament Team is bound for Panguitch, Utah to play for the Pacific Southwestern Division Championship after winning the Southern California title.

The Utah winner will advance to the Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown, N.Y.

The La Crescenta squad began its quest for the Southern California Championship with a victory over Simi Valley on July 16.

Austin Walker and Matt Magallon combined to pitch a one- hit shutout. In the second inning with the score tied 0-0, Josh Gobble drove in two runs with a double to left center. In the fourth inning, Mike Bako hit his second single of the game, which scored La Crescenta’s third run.

The locals broke the game wide open in the fifth with consecutive hits from Will Thayer, Harry Pessy and Nick Dragovich. The final score was 8-0.

On July 17, La Crescenta captured its second game of the tournament with a decisive 10-2 win over La Cañada. Anthony Giannelli pitched four strong innings and also helped his cause by hitting a solo home run over the left field fence in the second inning.

Lonnie Kauppila, Harry Pessy and Austin Walker all had multiple hits in the game. Nick Dragovich, Will Thayer and Robert Escobar also had hits for La Crescenta.

Continuing through the winner’s bracket, La Crescenta faced a very tough Westchester team on July 20.

In the second inning with the game scoreless, Giannelli started the La Crescenta rally with a single up the middle.