LITTLE LEAGUE: Star pitcher ends Vista's win streak

Navigato strikes out 14, sends Vista National to losers' bracket

By MATT NULL - Staff Writer | Monday, July 21, 2008 12:16 AM PDT ∞

MURRIETA ---- For the second straight day, the Vista National Little League All-Star team fell behind in the first inning.

But unlike its opener in the Southern California South Sub-Divisional tournament, Vista National was unable to mount a comeback Sunday night, managing only two hits in falling to Magnolia Center of Riverside 11-0 at Los Alamos Sports Park.

The loss snapped Vista National's nine-game winning streak and placed the team in the losers' bracket of the five-team, double-elimination tournament. Vista National will face Ken Hubbs Memorial in an elimination game Monday at 5 p.m. at Los Alamos.

Vista National defeated Ken Hubbs Memorial 12-3 in the opening round of the tournament Saturday after allowing three runs in the first two innings. Ken Hubbs eliminated Lemon Grove on Sunday with a 7-4 victory.

On Sunday, Magnolia Center starter Luke Navigato didn't give Vista National hitters much of a chance to rally, striking out 14 in 5 2/3 innings before reaching his 85-pitch limit.

Vista National put runners in scoring position against Navigato just once, loading the bases in the fifth inning before a strikeout ended the threat.

Navigato called it the best game he has ever pitched.

"When I was warming up in the bullpen before the game," Navigato said, "I felt like I was going to pitch well."

Magnolia Center coach Dan Vaughn said Navigato is a big game pitcher.

"As the games get bigger and bigger, he steps it up, and that started in the regular season," Vaughn said. "He wants the ball and never wants to be taken out of a game."

Vista National coach Scott Houk said he expected to see a pitcher like Navigato.

"Only the 10 best teams are left in Southern California," Houk said, "So we knew we would see pitchers like him. We are going to do our best to see him again."

Justin Ennis' second-inning single and Carston Nyenhuis' single in the fifth were Vista National's only hits of the game.

Vaughn was surprised by the shutout, having witnessed Vista National's 10-run fifth inning against Ken Hubbs.

"That is a heck of a ballclub over there," Vaughn said. "For him to do this against them is special."

Magnolia Center hit three home runs in the game, including Austin Roberts' grand slam in the sixth inning.

Houk expects his team to recover.

"Maybe they will tighten up a bit and bounce back since their back is up against the wall," Houk said. "We will find out over the next couple of days how bad they want it."

Contact staff writer Matt Null at mnull@nctimes.com.