Ladera 7, Santa Monica National 5
Facing elimination, the Ladera Allstars squared off against the Santa Monica National Allstars on Sunday afternoon in a rematch of last week's thriller. Both teams battled hard with Ladera pulling out a come from behind 7-5 victory.
Jibri Walden got the start for Ladera on the mound. Santa Monica started Mark Fuller.
Ladera tried to get things started in the top of the first with a walk by Darrien Geyen and a single by Lawrence Gilliam. Both runners were left stranded as the Santa Monica defense buckled down to squelch the rally.
Determined to avenge their defeat, Santa Monica jumped out to a 3 run lead in the bottom of the first inning with a gutsy two out rally started by the hard hitting, Tom Fuller. Fuller hit a 3 run shot against Ladera last week. After a walk to Greg Melik, Robbie Kerr sent a blast over the left center fence to score 3 runs. Jibri settled in to retire the side.
Elijah Hodge started the top of the second with a double to left field but was left stranded. Ladera's defense held firm in the bottom to complete a scoreless second inning.
Ladera battled back to take the lead in the top of the third inning. Lead off man, Jordan Crisp, got the ball rolling with a bunt single. After a fielder's choice by Darrien Geyen, Grant Craddolph drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Lawrence sent a ground ball to the shortstop to load the bases. Jibri stepped to the plate and sent a double to left field to score Darrien and Grant, moving Lawrence to third. Elijah followed with a walk to load the bases. Kaelin Woodard sent a ground ball to the left side to score Lawrence and make the score 4-3, Ladera. Robert Togia added a "seeing eye" infield single to score Jibri. Kaelin scored on a first and third steal play to bring the score to 5-3. Valance Sams drew a walk but was left stranded as Santa Monica tightened the defence to end the inning.
Santa Monica struck for one run in the bottom of the third to make the score 5-4.
Ladera got a single from Lawrence and a double from Jibri in the top of the fourth but was not able to push a run accross.
Santa Monica added another run in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 5. Grant Craddolph took over on the mound for Jibri in the fourth.
With the score tied, Malik Cole led off the top of the fifth inning with a one out single to right field. The speedy Valance Sams came in to pinch run for Malik. Jordan followed with a single to right field to move Valance to third base. Valance used his speed to score on a wild pitch, giving Ladera the lead.
Grant Craddolph retired the side in order in the bottom of the fifth as Ladera entered the sixth inning with a one run lead.
Lawrence led off the sixth inning with a single to the left side. Again, Valance was called on to run for Lawrence. Jibri followed with a single to left side to move Valance to second. Kaelin drew a walk to load the bases. The ever patient, Robert Togia, drew an RBI walk to score Valance and give Ladera a two run cushion.
The Ladera defence took the field needing three outs for the victory. Third baseman, Kaelin Woodard, stepped up with a Web Gem of a play moving swiftwly to his left to cuttoff a ground ball and throwing to Lawrence at first base; who stretched out his lanky frame to make the catch <Da! Da! Da! ... Da! Da! Da!>. After two walks, Jibri turned in a Web Gem on a hard ball hit to the 5/6 hole. He back handed it and flipped to Kaelin for the force out at third <Da! Da! Da! ... Da! Da! Da!>. With the count 1-1 to the next batter, closer Grant Craddolph reached the 45 pitch threshold and Ladera manager, Barry Craddolph made a gutsy call to bring in Robert Togia to close the game on the mound. With the crowd up at arms, the unflappable Robert Togia stepped to the mound and delivered to strikes in a row to close the game and earn the 2 pitch save.
With the win, Ladera sends Santa Monica home for the tournament and moves on to face Culver City National on Monday evening.
You can find the play by play summary here.
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Ladera Little League All Stars 10-11 Team
2007 Ladera 9-10 Year Old All Stars
All Star Tournament Bracket (with results) - Schedule
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All Star Tournament Bracket (with results) - Schedule
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