Beckman scores 10 runs in first inning, captures win over Irvine in Alan Dugard Classic

Beckman’s softball team celebrates Monday’s win over Irvine. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Beckman’s softball team scored 10 runs in the first inning and went on to defeat Irvine 11-0 in a silver division bracket game of the Alan Dugard Classic Monday afternoon at Bill Barber Park.

The Patriots (2-8) sent 13 batters to the plate and had 10 hits in the opening inning in a game between two former Pacific Coast League rivals. The game was called after four innings due to the run rule.

“This is one we needed,” said first-year Beckman Coach Roger Okamoto. “I think we have two wins this year, so it’s been tough. Hitting was on, good pitching, we did well today.”

Players from both teams exchanged well wishes after the contest.

“I was coaching against my really good friend {Irvine Coach Jim Knapp and an Irvine assistant coach}, I’ve known them for years and years, we love seeing them, love playing them,” Okamoto said.

Leadoff hitter Kylie Kim got the hit parade going with a single. Jazmine Cruz followed with a single and stole second base. Whitney Joe, who also started on the mound for Beckman, followed with a two-run double.

Sophia Morales also had an RBI double and Maddie Nguyen had a two-run double, Leilani Rojas-Lopez an RBI single, Kim had another RBI double in her second at bat of the inning and Cruz and Joe also followed with RBI singles.

Beckman added a another run in the fourth inning when Kim doubled and scored when Joe reached on an error.

Ella Estrada came on to pitch for Beckman in the fourth inning.

Beckman split its first two games of the tournament, defeating Vasquez 12-7 before losing to Torrance 5-1.

It was a tough day for Knapp’s Irvine squad, which split its opening games of the tournament Saturday. The Vaqueros have been short-handed with two starters out with injuries, including one pitcher.

“My weakness for the most part is just the pitching,” Knapp said. “She {Irvine starter} put too many pitches over the plate in the first inning and wasn’t hitting the edges. That’s a pretty good hitting team when they’re getting middle balls to hit. That’s kind of what my season has been going like. We got a couple hits late, that’s a good sign.

“We have Woodbridge here Thursday {in a league game}, that’s what I wanted them to focus on after the first inning is trying to have better at bats. It hurts, but the younger players have to learn how to step up and play. It’s a little bit of a struggle, but I think they’re learning, you have to learn how to keep a big inning from happening.”

Irvine (2-12) threatened to get on the scoreboard in the second inning. Andrea Torres and Rebecca Franco singled and were sacrificed over by Mia Vinopal. But Joe struck out the next two batters.

Beckman is in the Sea View League and Irvine the Pacific Coast League. The teams used to be in the PCL.

The 24-team tournament wraps up on Saturday at Bill Barber Park with the championship game at 7:15 p.m. at Deanna Manning Stadium.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com