Fountain Valley catcher Zachary Wiesner hands the ball to the umpire after a strikeout by pitcher Wyatt Middleton to end the game Friday. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Fountain Valley captured its second straight victory in the Pony Bronco 12-and-under sectional tournament, surviving a late rally by Los Alamitos to win 14-11 on day two of the tournament at Harvard Park.
Fountain Valley (2-0) moves into a game on Saturday at 1 p.m. on field one at Harvard Park vs. Olive and with a win would advance into the finals of the double elimination tournament on Sunday. Olive defeated Tustin 11-6 in the second game Friday night.
Los Alamitos needs to win Saturday at 11 a.m. against another Fountain Valley team and would also need to win a game at 3 p.m. to move on to Sunday’s finals.
To see additional photos, click on the first picture:
Friday’s game was another high scoring affair for Fountain Valley, which defeated Santa Ana 16-8 on Friday.
“It was similar to yesterday putting the pressure on the other team, a lot of aggressive base running, ready to take the next bag,” said Fountain Valley Manager Kristopher Packwood. “The bunting was effective again, making the defense make some plays. I think we had five pitchers today instead of six, all of them threw really, really well.”
Los Alamitos, which had a bye in the first round, made it fairly close with three runs in the top of the seventh and final inning.
Parker Tannabe-Grossman tripled to lead off, scored on an RBI groundout by Andrew Flores. After a hit batter, Landon Rheault drove in two runs with a triple to cut the lead to three.
But Wyatt Middleton struck out the final batter to end the game.
“Our team is really good at putting pressure on in the later innings,” said Los Alamitos Manager Ortenzio Moraca. “Our team has a lot of heart, they never give up, that’s what I love about these boys. I think we could have won this game, but we will make some adjustments for tomorrow.”
The game was tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the second inning, but Fountain Valley struck for six runs on four hits to take a commanding six-run lead. Leadoff hitter Maui Sherman had a perfectly executed squeeze bunt to drive in one run. He wound up with three hits and two RBI.
Fountain Valley also took advantage of three walks and an error.
Los Alamitos got back into the game with three runs in the third inning, two in the fourth and one in the sixth inning but Fountain Valley responded with four runs in the fifth inning. Catcher Zachary Wiesner, who started on the mound, had an RBI single, one of three he had on the day.
Fountain Valley added two more runs in the sixth inning to take a 14-8 lead. Thaddeaus O’Barr V had a two run single in the inning, his second hit of the day.
Austin Okos also had a big day at the plate, with three runs scored and two hits, Jacob Stoecker had a hit and a walk, a two-run single and scored a run and Ryker Morledge had an RBI single for Fountain Valley in the first inning.
“Austin Okos is playing outstanding, it’s the best I’ve ever seen him play,” Packwood said. “He pitched great, made some great plays, hit the ball hard, Jacob is hitting better than I’ve ever seen him hit, but it’s been a full team effort. TJ (O’Barr) came in today and probably had 12 plays at third base. He did a great job and hit the ball well too.”
And with two solid efforts, the players and coaches are looking for more success.
“We’re just trying to stay in the winner’s bracket,” Packwood said.
The winner of the tournament, hosted by Irvine Pony, moves on to the regionals next week.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
More Stories
Fountain Valley notches opening win over Santa Ana in Bronco 12-and-under tourney
Century, Savanna baseball players earn top honors on all-Coast League team
NFL players Nik Needham and Jaylinn Hawkins give back at annual Buena Park football camp