Fourth frame failure

Rick Devereux

One big inning doomed the Newport Beach National Little League Major

All-Stars in their 9-0 loss to Laguna Niguel in the District 55

tournament Saturday at Woodfield Park.

Laguna used three consecutive bases-loaded singles to produce an

eight-run, 12-batter fourth inning that put the game away.

“We tried to bring our infield in [in order to stop an ground ball

from scoring a run], but all of their hits kept getting past us into

the outfield,” said Newport Manager Scott Jones. “I thought our guys

battled through. [Laguna Niguel is] a very good team and they played

well.”

Laguna’s Erik Hsiem pitched five shutout innings, allowing three

hits while striking out five. He also went 4 for 4 at the plate with

two singles, two doubles, an RBI and one run scored.

“He was easily the best pitcher in our league,” said Laguna Coach

Craig Stavert. “He had an amazing game, on the mound and at the

plate. I think he was the key to the game.”

Hsiem opened the game with a double that bounced off first base

and into right field and later scored on Christian Knager’s sacrifice

hit.

Laguna loaded the bases with a single, a walk and a hits batsman

when Steven Hudgins hit an RBI single to left, followed by Ryan

Richards’ RBI single up the middle and Hsiem’s RBI single to right.

A throwing error cleared the basses, but two singles -- including

one that ricocheted off the pitcher’s face -- loaded the bases again.

A fielder’s choice force out at home from shortstop Blake Thomsen to

catcher Gianni Ferrante recorded the first out of the inning but kept

the bases loaded.

A hits batsman forced home the seventh run of the inning and a

fielder’s choice plated the eighth. Ferrante threw out a runner

trying to steal second to end the inning.

Newport used three pitchers in the inning, but Jones said the

pitcher that was hit by the come-backer would be fine.

“We were getting a lot of timely hits,” Stavert said. “We were

able to see the ball and hit well right went we needed it.”

Even though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, there was still a 10

minute rain delay midway through the first inning.

With Newport up to bat in the bottom of the first inning with two

outs, the outfield sprinklers turned on. After more than five minutes

of watering the grass, the sprinklers were finally shut off, but it

took another five minutes for Laguna to take the field and the game

to restart.

“Even though the outcome wasn’t what we wanted, I’m pleased with

how we played,” Jones said. “It was a close game before and after

[the fourth] inning.”

Grant Davis, Austin Jones and Andrew MacCormack each had base hits

for Newport Beach. The elder Jones praised the relief pitching

performance by Clark Cashion, Emery Molnar and Grant Davis, who

combined to allow two hits in the final three innings.

Newport Beach National plays the loser of the Laguna Hills and

Rancho Niguel game July 9.