VFW comes up big in win over Legion

VFW held ground atop the Major Division standings with a 3-1 victory over American Legion in Laguna Beach Little League action at Riddle Field.

A main contributor to the VFW win was the outstanding effort of Blake Hester who, despite suffering an injury early in the game, continued on and threw complete-game triumph.

Slipping at home plate after scoring in the top of the first, Hester strained his lower leg muscle and was in obvious discomfort. He still went out on the mound and took a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning. He struck out nine and didn’t allow a runner past second base until American Legion began a two-out rally started by a base hit by Sundance Severino which hit off the glove of Hester. Robbie McInerny followed with a walk and then Brogan O’Bryan sent a shot to centerfield to score Severino.

On that scoring play, however, a well-executed relay from left fielder Noel Smith-to Hester- to catcher Cole Kesler, ended with McInerny being tagged out in a close play at the plate to end the game.

VFW sent seven batters to the plate in the first inning where they scored all three of their runs. The first two runs were unearned due to consecutive errors that allowed Robert Clemons and Blake Hester to score.

The third run was the result of an RBI single by Harrison Williams that brought in Brandon Lewis from second base.

McInerny, who pitched in relief for American Legion, shut down the VFW offense the rest of the way. American Legion’s defense was solid after the opening inning and threw out a runner at the plate in the third inning that helped keep the score close.

The defensive play of the game, though, belonged to VFW’s Noel Smith who made a shoestring catch in left field on a hard-hit ball by McInerny in the fourth inning.

Representatives from the sponsoring VFW of Laguna Beach were on hand for the game and joined all the players in the Little League pledge.