Malibu Little League Champs Fall in District Playoffs Semifinal

It was a David vs. Goliath scenario and the Malibu Phillies were in the role of underdog Wednesday evening at the Culver Marina Little League baseball fields.

The Phillies, a local team comprised of five 11-year-olds and six 12-year-olds, were facing perennial powerhouse Ladera and its roster made up entirely of 12-year-olds. The Braves pulled away for a 13-3 victory in the semifinals of the Majors Division District 25 Tournament of Champions, bringing an end to a memorable season for the Phillies.

After allowing one run in the top of the first inning, the Phillies looked like they might spring the upset when center fielder Logan Soloway singled and shortstop Trevor Simonian doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. A walk to Biggie Murray loaded the bases, then two runs scored on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout by Will Kish

Ladera went back ahead, 3-2, in the top of the second inning, but Malibu tied it in the bottom half when right fielder Curtis Skakel got caught in a pickle between first and second and was eventually tagged out. But not before John Pietro alertly scooted home from third.

The Braves went ahead, 4-3, in the top of the third, but the Phillies had a golden opportunity to regain the lead in the bottom half when they loaded the bases with one out. However, third baseman Tanner Gottlieb lined out to center field and first baseman William Tamkin struck out.

Malibu had routed Beverly Hills, 9-1, in the quarterfinals of the 12-team single-elimination tournament and the Phillies were showing they could compete against one of the favorites.

"We're a fundamentally sound team and we practiced 50 times in a span of three months," coach Len Simonian said. "Biggie [Murray] is the best pitcher in our league and he struck out a bunch of guys today."

Murray kept his team in the game, but had to leave with one out in the top of the fourth inning because he had reached his 85-pitch limit. Ladera's next two batters, Justin Morris and Aaron Greenfield, hit home runs to make it a three-run margin.

"They are very deep, their lineup is dangerous one through nine and they just wore us down," Simonian said. "When you get behind in the count, you have to throw fastballs. And they were hitting them."

Ladera tacked on three runs in the fifth and four in the sixth inning to build a commanding lead, but the Phillies did not go down quietly in their final at-bat.

Skakel singled to get things started and when catcher Ben Cohen drew a walk, the bases were suddenly loaded with two outs. Simonian fouled off a couple of hard pitches before flying out to shallow center field.

It was a memorable season for the Phillies, who were in first place wire-to-wire in Malibu Little League's Majors Division and finished with a 14-5 record. 

"I'm so proud of our team and how far we advanced," Simonian said. "It just goes to show that hard work does pay off."