Moraga Baseball Association's 10U Mustang All Star Team Advances to District Tournament

Moraga's 10-and-under, Mustang League all-star team rolled to the section championship Sunday, zooming to a 15-4 victory over Brentwood in the title game at Kerry Hills Field in San Pablo.

The Reds unleashed their powerful offense from the start, loading the bases with no out in the first inning on their way to an early 3-0 lead. Brentwood scored once in the bottom of the first, but Moraga pitcher Erik Wenning struck out the side to contain the damage.

Moraga then added three runs in the second inning and four more in the third. Parker Windatt, Jason West and Lucas Allen strung together consecutive hits to spark the four-run outburst, as the Reds stretched their lead to 10-1.

Brentwood scored twice to trim its deficit to 10-3, but Moraga pulled away on Wenning's opposite-field, solo home run and another four-run uprising in the fifth inning. Trevin Kroichick led off with a double and scored on Ryan McNally's sacrifice fly, kick-starting the offense.

The Reds outscored their opponents 38-11 in winning all three games in the section tournament. They received strong pitching performances from McNally, Nick Morgan and Wenning in advancing to next week's district tournament in San Jose.

Moraga 15, Brentwood  4

Records: Moraga 3-0, Brentwood 3-2

The Star: Erik Wenning pitched five strong innings, made a diving catch to start a double play and hit an opposite-field, solo home run.

The Turning Point: Moraga jumped ahead early, scoring three runs in the first inning, three more in the second and four in the third to seize a 10-1 lead.

The Quote: "Our kids have really gelled as a team. They're playing better with each game," Moraga coach Brad Morgan said.

Who's Next: Moraga advances to next week's district tournament in San Jose (July 20-26).

Bottom Line: Moraga stays alive in its quest to reach the West Zone championship in Southern California and the national tournament in Irving, Texas.

By the Numbers

Moraga       334 14 – 15 runs, 15 hits

Brentwood 102 01 – 4 runs, 5 hits

Moraga (AB-R-H) – Morgan 2-2-0, Kroichick 3-2-2, McNally 2-0-1, Wenning 4-2-2, Windatt 4-2-2, West 4-2-3, Allen 3-3-3, Whiting 1-1-1, Mossotti 3-0-1, Gannett 0-1-0, Curtiss 2-0-0. Totals 28-15-15.

Brentwood – Killian 2-2-1, Garcia 3-2-2, Holden 2-0-0, Barnes 3-0-1, Kinnick 2-0-0, Vannelli 1-0-1, Hemmerson 2-0-0, Erickson 1-0-0, Caldcun 2-0-0. Totals 18-4-5.

Pitching

Moraga – Wenning 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 6 K.

Brentwood – Barnes 2 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 3 K; Slous 1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 2 K; Erickson 2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Hitting

2B – Kroichick (Moraga), West 2 (Moraga), Allen (Moraga). HR – Wenning (Moraga).