LITTLE LEAGUE: Escondido American earns rematch with Vista

By TOM SHANAHAN - For the North County Times | Tuesday, July 15, 2008 12:14 AM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- Moments after the Vista National Little League All-Stars beat Escondido American last weekend to advance to the Section 6 tournament finals, Vista National manager Scott Houk made a prediction.

"I'm sure we'll see them again," he said.

Escondido American proved Houk prophetic by beating University City 2-0 on Monday night at Stonebrooke Fields to earn a rematch.

Vista National, the District 70 champion, and Escondido American, the District 31 champion, will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Stonebrooke in a game that could decide the title in the double-elimination tournament.

If Vista National wins, it will be crowned Section 6 champion and advance to Saturday's opening round of the Division 3 tournament at Los Alamos Sports Park in Murrieta. An Escondido American victory would force a final game at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Stonebrooke.

"We've seen them," Escondido American manager Loretta Barlow said, "and this time we'll be mentally ready."

Escondido American and Vista National clearly established themselves as the class of the four-team tournament with hitting, pitching and defense.

On Sunday, Vista National turned two double plays to help beat Escondido American 5-3. On Monday, Escondido American did Vista National's sharp defense one better with three double plays against University City.

Second baseman Jake Krantz started double plays in the second and fourth innings. Shortstop Brett Barlow turned a double play in the fifth when he fielded a grounder, stepped on second base, and made the throw to first.

"Our coach works us pretty hard on defense," Krantz said. "When you work hard in practice, it shows in games."

Escondido American got a solo home run in the first inning from David Guerrero for the only run it would need. His shot cleared the center-field fence by about 10 feet at the 200-foot mark.

Escondido American tacked on an insurance run in the fourth inning. Catcher Branden McCoy led off with a single and was safe at second after University City's first baseman fielded a grounder, stepped on first for one out but hit McCoy in the back on the throw to second.

Hector Vega came in to pinch-run for McCoy and advanced to third on a passed ball. He came home on a wild pitch, sliding in ahead of the throw to the pitcher covering the plate.

Escondido American had to play an extra game while Vista National had the day off to rest its pitchers, but Barlow was able to save her pitchers, too.

Krantz needed only 17 pitches in the first inning, which allows him to return to the mound Tuesday. If he had thrown 20 pitches, he wouldn't have been able to pitch until Wednesday.

Anthony Stark relieved Krantz and tossed four shutout innings on 45 pitches. His pitch count allows him to throw on Wednesday if Escondido American forces another game. Jordan Serrano pitched a perfect sixth inning to complete the shutout.

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