Aliso Viejo Blanks Corona National, Advances to Another Title Game

Aliso Viejo Manager Scott Poirot might have tipped his hand Sunday as to his strategy for Monday night's game against Corona National when he threw his No. 1 pitcher Hunter Jump just 20 pitches to start the game.

“If I had Hunter throw 85 pitches today he would have been done for the tournament," Poirot explained. "So if I have him throw 20 today and 85 tomorrow that's 105. Or I could throw him 20 today, 20 tomorrow and 85 the next day, and that's 125. You just have to maximize your pitches for your very best pitchers.

As it turned out, Poirot didn't need Jump for nearly that many pitches.

Jump pitched a complete game, five-inning masterpiece, allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out 10 to lead Aliso Viejo to an 11-0 victory over Corona National in the winner's bracket of the Little League All-Star Sub-Division III (South) tournament at Woodfield Park.

Aliso now must wait for the outcome of Tuesday's loser's bracket final between Corona and Highland. The winner faces Aliso Viejo Wednesday in the championship game. A loss by Aliso would force a second game Thursday in the double-elimination tournament. All games are at 7:00.

The winner of Sub-Division III will advance to the Southern California State Championship tournament against the North winner. The best 2-of-3 games are scheduled for a double-header on Sunday, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with a third game, if necessary, on Monday. All games will be held at Woodfield Park.

Against Corona National, Jump continued his torrid hitting with two home runs, giving him six over the last three games. The first home run came in the third inning when the game was still scoreless, which was news in itself. In the past two playoff games, Aliso had outscored its opponent, 16-0, in the first inning.

Ryan Poirot completed the scoring with a two-run home run in the fifth to end the game in a mercy.  

-- AVLL President Susan Booth contributed to this story.