LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: Vista National wins homer derby vs. RBV
By TOM SHANAHAN - For the North County Times | ∞
VISTA ---- The Vista National and Rancho Buena Vista Little League All-Star teams entered the District 70 tournament with a reputation for home run power.
During the tournament, the two teams didn't disappoint ---- and they saved the best show of power for last.
Vista National belted four homers to RBV's two on Thursday en route to a 14-8 victory in the district championship game at Stonebrooke Fields.
With the win, Vista National advances to the Section 6 tournament, which begins Saturday at Stonebrooke. Vista National will face Allied Gardens, the District 33 champion, at 5 p.m.
After opening the double-elimination bracket with a loss to Oceanside American, Vista National won five straight elimination games, forcing the final-game showdown by defeating RBV 6-3 on Wednesday.
"This gives us a lot of momentum," said Vista National coach Scott Houk. "Sometimes when you lose early, it helps you. It humbles you. It makes you play harder, and that's what we did every game after the loss."
Of Vista National's four home runs ---- hit by three players ---- the big blow was a grand slam by Anthony Pallonetti in the top of the fifth inning that extended Vista National's lead to 12-7.
Pallonetti's blast gave Vista National some breathing room after RBV had rallied from an 8-1 deficit with a pair of three-run home runs by Seth Fisher, who had four homers for the tournament.
Both of Fisher's blasts Thursday cleared the left-field fence, marked at 180 feet, and the security fence that separates the Sprinter train tracks from the park grounds. The second homer was about 230 feet into the track's gravel embankment, while the first homer cleared the tracks at about 250 feet.
When Fisher came to bat in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on base and RBV trailing 14-7, a pack of kids gathered behind the left-center field fence in anticipation of another home run. But Vista National pitcher Justin Ennis didn't give Fisher anything to hit, walking him on a 3-2 pitch.
The walk loaded the bases, and RBV managed one more run on a hit batter. But Ennis, who pitched the final two innings, got the game-ending out on a popup to second base.
The other home runs by Vista National came on a pair of two-run shots by Austin Ott in the first and third innings and a solo home run by Dominic Lerma in the second.
Vista National features an intimidating lineup with 6-footer Pat Priest, 5-10 Billy Roth (2-for-4), 5-9 Blair Houk and 5-8 Jake Brynie. Roth went 2-for-4, while Brynie was the winning pitcher in Wednesday's elimination game.
"There isn't an easy out in their lineup," said RBV manager Larry Solomon before joking about Vista National's size. "We checked their IDs. We asked if any them drive to the games."
Vista National's game against District 33's champion on Saturday follows the 2 p.m. opener between the District 31 and 32 champions in the double-elimination tournament.
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RBVLL Fan wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:15 AM:Congrats to the players from VNLL, a very deserving team that showed class in victory and will represent D-70 with style. And congrats to the RBVLL kids for displaying character, courage and loyalty even in a losing effort. These 26 kids from two teams represent the best of LL Baseball and the best of Vista. Many of these opponents attend school together and have competed together over the past 3 years. The scoreboard showed VNLL as the "winner" but the respect and friendship displayed by all of the kids towards each other will stick in my mind long after the score is forgotten. Great job to all.
Maroon wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:22 PM:Even though the team wearing my colors ended up on the losing side of the contest, watching an opposing baserunner at second base, talking to the second baseman and shortstop while a new pitcher was warming up was the best part about the games.Nice kids playing a great game at a very nice facility. Thank you VNLL.
Frank wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:09 PM:VNLL would like to thank you for the wonderful comments. We had a great time hosting the tournament and we are glad that the other leagues enjoyed their time at the fields.
With regards to the matchup I do not think that it could have been scripted any better, two Vista teams that continuously battle each other over the years matching up in the final game. As always everyone knew that it was going to be another battle to the end and it was proven true by the players on the field. Either one of the teams could have pulled that game out and would have represented District 70 well going forward.
The RBV team was represented by a wonderful group of players. The players truly showed up to play and play hard all the way through the game. They showed that they we having fun on the field, which is a huge part of the game. More importantly for me was the respect that they showed to their teammates and opponents. The RBV players even after the loss continued to show that they had a great time the huge smiles on their faces while lined up to receive the medals.
We would like to see the players and families back over to the VNLL fields to help root for our team as the work through the section 6 tournament.
Thank you again for the kind words.
Another RBV Fan wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:53 PM:Lots of hard work by all the VNLL board members and volunteers really showed. Nice work folks. Thanks for hosting
It was a good run by both teams, and fun games to watch. We'll be back to support your snackbar some more tomorrow. It really was neat to see the kids after the game. A good group of players and parents. Well done all.
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