All-Stars capture Los Al title

On two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Newport Harbor Baseball Assn. Pony 13-year-old All-Stars beat Cypress, capturing the Los Alamitos tournament championship.

Starting pitcher Andrew McCormack led the NHBA All-Stars to the 2-1 victory.

McCormack pitched a complete game, allowing five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

NHBA scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a walk by Michael Keasey and a Max Richley single to center. Keasey scored and Richley landed on third when the center fielder overran the ball.

After an eight-pitch at-bat, Brent Lawson walked. Tyler Kiehnle hit a sacrifice fly deep to center that scored Richley.

In the top of the seventh, Cypress led off with three consecutive hits, scoring one run. With runners on the corners and no outs, McCormack recorded a strikeout.

The runner on third was picked off on a failed suicide squeeze attempt. Cort Hastings recorded the last out on a close play at first base.

The Newport Harbor offense was led Lawson, Kiehnle, McCormack, Ryan Banning and Richley.

Brett Parker controlled the game from behind the plate, throwing out a runner while not allowing a passed ball.

Allen Brown, Brett Thompson, Brandon Zelner and Keasey played a stellar defensive game.

The team, which consists of players from both sides of the Back Bay, has played in four tournaments. It reached the championship game three times.

The locals have earned the right to play in the championship game of the Dana Point Tournament today pending scheduling conflicts with the upcoming District Tournament.

The team is managed by Jim Lawson, with assistance from Duane Hastings, Keith Banning and Noel Thompson.

— From staff reports