CMNLL Majors: Diamondbacks snakebit

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - “It’s only a game.”

It’s an expression said frequently and it’s an expression whose point

gets sorely overlooked.

For the Costa Mesa National Little Major Division Diamondbacks,

Thursday’s 3-0 loss to the Westminster Indians in the first round of the

District 62 Tournament of Champions at Costa Mesa High was put into

perspective long before the game even began.

The Diamondbacks were playing without standout third baseman Allan

Kincade, who was seriously injured after being struck by a car while

crossing an intersection.

“He was at the corner of Bear and Fairview and crossed on the green

light,” D-backs Manager Bill Redding said. “A car going about 35 mph was

trying to beat the red light and hit Allan. Fortunately his younger

sister saw the car coming and stopped just in time.”

Kincade suffered two broken legs and a concussion, but is expected to

make a full recovery, according to Redding.

“Today, we didn’t have that extra ‘Umph’ out there,” Redding said. “I

think that extra ‘Umph’ was at home recovering.”

With a major bat out of the lineup, the Diamondbacks managed only

three hits against a talented Indians’ squad. “We just didn’t hit today,”

Redding said. “The Indians played very well against us, but we just

couldn’t get our offense going.”

Indians’ starting pitcher Tyler Humphrey was dominant, pitching three

no-hit innings with five strikeouts and retired all nine hitters he

faced.

During that three-inning stretch, the Tribe mustered up enough offense

to carry them the rest of the way.

Johnny Nichols led of the top of the first with a walk and advanced to

second on a single by Tyler Humphrey. With two outs, David Ocampo singled

up the middle to score Nichols and gave the Indians a 1-0 lead.

The Tribe used a little two-out magic in the third to add some

insurance. With Ocampo on first base, Alex Nana doubled into center,

moving Ocampo to third.

From there, Ryan Rodriguez found an opening in right field for a

two-run double, scoring Ocampo and Nana for a 3-0 Indians’ advantage.

Costa Mesa finally found a safe route to first base in the fourth

inning when Ryan Redding reached on an infield single. He advanced to

second on a wild pitch, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the

Diamondbacks’ rally.

In the fifth, Taylor McClanahan ripped a two-out double to right,

giving the Diamondback fans something to cheer about, but the Indians

coaxed another strikeout to end the threat.

Finally in the sixth, Redding collected his second hit of the game as

the Diamondbacks tried to mount one final two-out rally. However,

Indians’ relief pitcher Justin Venus struck out the final hitter, the

Tribe’s 10th punch-out of the game.

Not to be outdone on the mound, Diamondbacks’ relief pitcher Austin

Elliott threw three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and retired all

nine batters he faced.

“He’s been doing a great job for us all year long,” Coach Redding

said.

Elliott received some defensive assistance in the sixth inning.

Shortstop Trevor McDonald cleanly fielded a bad-hop grounder for the

first out, Ryan Redding hauled in a tough fly ball for the second out and

centerfielder Matt Jeranko snagged a line drive to retire the side.

Despite the elimination of the Diamondbacks from the TOC, five

players, Elliott, McDonald, McClanahan, Redding and Brandon Maurer will

take part in this year’s District 62 All-Star Tournament, which begins

July 7.

Coach Redding, who played football under Coach John McKay, showed that

the late coach’s philosophies were still strongly remembered as he

addressed his players after the game.

“They didn’t beat us,” Redding announced. “We just ran out of

innings.”