Aliso Viejo LL Stumbles Against Highland, But Not Out

One bad inning—more specifically one bad pitch—doomed Aliso Viejo's Little League team Wednesday night, eliminating the first opportunity to advance into the California State Divisional Tournament.

Aliso Viejo will have a second chance Thursday night (7 p.m.) in a rematch against Highland, which turned a six-run second inning into a 6-3 victory in the Little League Sub-Division South Tournament at Woodfield Park.

One game, and one more chance, to take the next step on the road to the Little League World Series.

"If we were told on June 15th when we came together that we would have one game on our home field to advance to the next level I would take it every time," Aliso Viejo Manager Scott Poirot said.

Highland came out aggressive against Aliso Viejo starter Ryan Poirot, leaving two runners on base in the first inning and loading the bases twice in the second. A dropped fly ball and a single preceded an RBI single by Jay Schubert. Consecutive singles scored the second run.

Michael Carpenter then rocketed a fastball over the right-center fence, and suddenly Aliso Viejo was looking at a 6-0 deficit. However, it easily could have been 8-0 had right fielder Christopher Pimentel not taken a home run away from Keller Rayborn in the inning.

"We missed a couple plays in that one inning and they scored six," Scott Poirot said. "If we played defense and made those two plays it would be 3-0. They just played a little better than we did."

Ryan Poirot settled down after that, allowing just three hits and retiring the last six batters he faced, throwing 87 pitches in 5 2/3 innings.

Offensively, Aliso Viejo had a tough time against Highland pitcher Ryan Silva. He threw a complete game on 84 pitches, striking out five and not allowing a walk. His sinking fastball forced Aliso to ground out 10 times.

Aliso Viejo's runs came in the third inning on a two-run home run by Hunter Jump and in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Connor Kokx. Ryan Poirot was on base three times, stole two bases and scored twice.

"It was a well played game on both sides. Both pitchers had excellent games," Scott Poirot said. "(Silva) was pitching hard. We swung out of the zone a couple of times, but we hit some good balls, too."

The probable pitchers for Thursday's final Sub-Division South game are Noah Castro, the Highland's top pitcher, and Jake Briones for Aliso Viejo. Briones had a shaky inning in his last appearance on Sunday, allowing five runs against Encinitas. But Poirot said he's confident that his team of All-Stars is up to the task.

"I expect to win this game tomorrow," he said. "We have one game at home and we're going after it. Highland has a little momentum going on right now, but I told our kids to keep their chins up. We have one game, on our field, to move onto the next level. I like our chances."