Newport Beach Little League: Giants come up big

Mitch Gardner singled and scored three times, including the

game-winning run, to lead the Giants to a 6-5 victory over the Braves in

Newport Beach Little League AAA action.

Gardner scored from third on a passed ball to give the Giants the

edge. Josh Harrison, Jack Gerdau, Jamie Heinecke and Gardner were solid

on the mound. The Braves were led on offense by Andrew Dunlap and Michael

Delahanty.

In another game, the Giants defeated the Mariners, 14-10. Gerdau hit a two-out home run to drive in two runs and give the Giants a 12-10

advantage.

Harrison (two hits, three runs scored), Peter Weidner (two hits, two

runs scored) and Eric Chebil (triple, RBI) contributed on offense. The

Giants received strong pitching from Jamie Heinecke, Harrison and Gerdau,

who pitched a scoreless last inning to earn the save.

The Mariners were led by the strong pitching of Cory Vitalo and the

hitting of J.B. Salem (triple, RBI) and Vitalo (double).

In more AAA Division action:

* The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks, 12-5, the Yankees, 10-4, and

the Reds, 12-11. Against the Diamondbacks, Jacob Sanooke hit a double

with the bases loaded in the second inning to give the Dodgers the lead

for good.

Michael Borchard held off the Diamondbacks, striking out the side in

the third inning with only nine pitches. He also struck out three for the

win in the fourth and final inning.

Joey Booth contributed offensively with two hits. The Diamondbacks

received solid pitching from Nico Napolitano and Randall Nelson while

John Christian hit a two-run homer for the Diamondbacks.

Against the Yankees, the Dodgers were led by Dietrich Stauffer (two

hits, three RBIs) and Ronnie Sadler. Booth made the tag on an attempted

steal at home for the final out. Jesse Starnes pitched well and tripled

for the Yankees. Mattias Russo-Larson was solid on defense for the

Yankees.

Against the Reds, Stauffer singled and Kevin Wang stole home to give

the Dodgers the winning run. Offense was provided by Emery Molnar (two

hits) and Sean Okita. Borchard pitched two scoreless innings and had a

home run. Parker Stone, who had three key hits, and Donald Dalton led the

Reds hitting attack while Matt Ruiz pitched three solid innings.

In AA Division action:

* Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 3 - Solid pitching from Nathan Wagner and

Brandon Pick helped the Diamondbacks win their season opener. Sandon

Griffin drove in three runs with a double in the third inning.

In the Major Division:

* Angels 6, Red Socks 3 - Michael Page broke open a close game with a

key bases loaded single that drove in two runs. Shane Boris and Andy

Rovzar continued their hot hitting and pitching. Rovzar pitched three

scoreless innings in relief of Boris to pick up the win. Jordan Kertz

picked up two hits to contribute to the win. Michele Zucker’s flawless

fielding helped turn back several Red Sock rallies. The Red Socks

received a solid pitching performance from starter Timmy Lever.

Offensively, the Red Socks were led by Kevin Holland and Jacob Goulding.