Athletics nip Yanks in thriller

Auburn Little League Baseball Roundup, by Journal Sports Staff

Max Stapenhorst pitched five outstanding innings with eight strikeouts as the Nations Rent Athletics defeated the Edgewood Veterinary Clinic Yankees 3-2 in one of the big games during last week’s Auburn Little League Major Division baseball action for players ages 10-12 at Beggs Field.

A’s relief pitcher Tyler Lovejoy worked the sixth inning to earn the save. Stapenhorst helped his cause by going 2-for-3 wth two doubles. Mike Cody was 2-for-2 with a double and Chris Bendana and Mike Robbins each added a single.

Yankees

pitchers Travis Wright, Jeff Mason and Mike Kuchenthal, throwing two innings apiece, combined for 11 strikeouts. Mark Miracle singled in both Yankee runs, while Jeremy Turney and Kuchenthal doubled, and Nathan Johnston and Jeff Mason each singled once.

In other Majors play last week:

Elks Lodge No. 1691 Pirates 12, A’s 11 — The A’s came out on the short end of this thriller, as the Pirates rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth and last inning.

Austin Maynard had a single and three RBIs and Jeffrey Villanueva two hits and a pair of RBIs to lead the Pirates. Chris Cox doubled and singled for one RBI, Chad Redfearn doubled and singled, Cameron Price had an RBI single, Andrew Tuller and David Dimiceli each singled once, and Josh Borg added another RBI.

For the A’s, Michael Cody had a home run and two RBIs, Ben Elkin three singles and two RBIs, and Spencer Zaputil a triple and RBI. Joey Jacinto and Max Stapenhorst each had a single and RBI, and Tyler Lovejoy also had a single.

Placer Sierra Bank Angels 5, Yankees 0 — Henry Godsey and Michael Booker pitched three strong innings apiece, teaming up on 12 strikeouts while pitching a two-hit shuout for the Angels.

Luke Danielewicz put the Angels on the board with a three-run homer in the third inning. Cody Van Riper doubled and Matt Ragusano, Matt Ross and both pitchers each had a single.

For the Yankees, Mike Kuchenthal struck out eight in 3-1/2 innings and Travis Wright fanned three more in 2-1/2. Ryan Miller’s double and Jeff Mason’s single were the team’s only hits.

Indians 8, Auburn 20/30 Club Cubs 3 — The Indians snapped a 3-3 tie with a four-run outburst in the top of the fifth inning and relief pitcher Evan Bradley held the Cubs the rest of the way, striking out three in four innings. Justin Bryant also pitched well.

Kevin Healy went 4-for-4 with a double and four runs scored. Harrison Penrose was 2-for-4 with four RBIs, Steven Beck had two RBIs, and Jake Elia and Jason Pendegraft each drove in a run.

Jessica Lockhart pitched five excellent innings for the Cubs, striking out three and helping her cause with a 2-for-2 day. Adam Fry was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Steve French scored twice.

Union Bank Cardinals 5, A’s 4 — Kyle Matheson hit well for the Cards, who had a 4-0 lead slashed to 4-3 in the third inning but kept the game even from there.

For the A’s, Max Stapenhorst had two singles, Mike Cody a double, single and two RBIs, and Spencer Zaputil and Tyler Lovejoy one RBI apiece.

Angels 16, Braves 5 — The Angels scored all the runs they needed during a six-run first, as Henry Godsey and Mike Booker combined on a 11-strikeout performance. Max Harris had two home runs and Luke Danielewicz was 2-for-4 with a home run that keyed a five-run fourth.

For the Braves, Adam Reed was 2-for-3 with a double and Ben Shallberger 1-for-1.

Auburn Journal Indians 17, Pirates 0 — Matt Rice and Evan McAnulty each went 2-for-4 and Connor Bennett doubled as the Indians pulled away with an eight-run explosion in the fifth.

The Pirates’ Jeff Villanueva doubled.

Kiwanis Club Braves 18, Pirates 2 — Cliff Meyer increased his league-leading home run court to seven with hit two more, including a grand slam, as the Braves scored nine runs in the first inning and never looked back.

Brandon Coakley went 3-for-3 with two doubles while pitching all four innings, allowing one hit and striking out nine. Also for the Braves, Buck Brodgen went 2-for-3, Cameron Gibson was 2-for-4, and Adam Reed doubled.

The Pirates’ David Dimiceli singled.