Costa Mesa all-star squad comes up one win short of reaching Pony World Series

Costa Mesa players come off the field during the regional at TeWinkle Park. (Photo: OC Sports Zone, Tim Burt).

Costa Mesa’s Pony 14-and-under baseball all-stars were hoping for a trip to the Pony International World Series, but were denied when they they lost to San Jose 5-3 in the zone championship game Sunday afternoon in West Covina.

It was quite a post-season run for the Costa Mesa team.

The all-stars reached the West Zone regional by winning the super regional. They started post-season play by advancing from the regional at TeWinkle Park.

“Sunday we came up a little short of being able to punch our ticket to the Pony World Series,” said Coach Ben Lower on Monday. “These boys were playing great coming in but we just couldn’t get the bats going against a good San Jose pitcher that kept us off balance. We tip our hats to them as their stuff was just a little better than our’s that day.

“I believe in these kids, and had we had the chance to do it again I put my money on these kids to come out on top. It has been a blessing to coach these kids and watch them grow all the way from the Little league days to now.

“Most of the kids on the team all went to the same elementary school together and they have formed great friendships along the way. The team was more than that we are a family and it has been a blessing to be a part of it for all these years. As a coach you couldn’t ask for a better group of families and young men, it is sad that the run has ended.”

Costa Mesa opened the tournament Thursday with a 9-2 victory over Moses Lake, Wash. The all-stars extended their record to 2-0 with an 11-6 victory over Covina on Friday.

“Covina gave us a battle as we tried to manage our pitchers arms for the weekend,” Lower said. “Tristan Ramos had a big day at the plate with two home runs and Felix Tiquia had his first of the season which was a big boost to get the second inning going. We were able to put together a big inning in the top of the seventh with Colton Lower leading things off and batting through the lineup to get five runs and break away from Covina to get the win.”

Saturday, Costa Mesa defeated Maui, Hawaii 5-1 to reach the championship game.

“Saturday Ryan Lowry pitched a stellar game on the mound for us against Maui,” Lower said. “He came up one pitch short of being able to complete a shutout game having to be taken out due to his pitch count limit. Rottschafer was able to come in and get the last out for us. Wylan Rottschafer and Grady Jackson had a good day at the plate as Maui pitched around Tristan Ramos not looking to give up any big hits.”

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