Senior All-Stars Pull Out Another Win

A big fifth inning catapulted the Manhattan Beach Senior All Stars to a 6-5 win over El Rio Wednesday night, putting them that much closer to defending their 2010 Western Regional championship.

“This tournament was very difficult," said Trent Hammond. "To be able to come back like we did and win another game by a run again, it shows a lot about our character I think." 

The Senior All-Stars, who have won their last three games [El Rio 6-5, El Rio 3-2, La Habra 10-9] will travel to Riverside on Saturday to compete in the Divisional Tournament with a berth in the Western Regional on the line.

Manhattan Beach's key fifth inning clinched their victory Wednesday night, overcoming a 4-2 deficit by scoring four runs as they batted around the order and went through three El Rio pitchers.

With two outs, Garrett Wells started the rally off with an RBI single, bringing in Kevin Lopez to pull his team within one at 4-3.

Hammond then took starting pitcher A.J. Vega to the fence in left-centerfield for a run-scoring double to tie the game at 4-4.

“I thought it was out [of the park]," said manager Carlos Rojas. "That’s a shot in this park. It’s 355 feet {to the fence] and that was 354 ½."

Jack Webber continued the sweet-swinging ways for Manhattan Beach, bringing in Hammond with a single to right field. 

El Rio pitcher Vega exited and his replacement, Tyler Spencer struggled with control problems, issuing back-to-back walks to load the bases.

Rojas inserted pinch-hitter Greg Whitaker into the batter's box and was rewarded as the outfielder battled Spencer, fouling off pitches and using a keen eye to gain a walk after taking the pitcher to a full count. The bases-loaded walk scored a run and put Manhattan Beach in front 6-4.

Having what was a rarity for much of the tournament, a lead, El Rio was determined to make its own comeback. 

After walking two batters, Manhattan Beach's Carter Casady, who had relieved pitcher Richard O’Reily who went five serviceable innings, froze Josh McMurrey on strikes and got an easy ground ball out of Vinny Avila, but Turner Conrad’s normally adept glove work disappeared for a second as the ball hopped through his legs allowing a run to score.

“Our defense has been great," Casady said. "I had confidence in my guys to make plays behind me and I knew we would make the next play and get out of the inning."

The right-hander managed to keep the score at 6-5 as Justin McMurrey popped out to end the inning.

In the ninth inning, Manhattan Beach catcher Greg French alertly picked off Spencer with two El Rio players on base. 

“Jack [Webber] gave me the sign at first on him and [Spencer] happened to be cheating and we got him,” French said.

Casady was able to get the final two batters out on fly balls to the outfield to pick up a save and advance his team to the Divisional round in Riverside.

“French helped me out a great deal with that pickoff and boosted my confidence and allowed me to go after the next couple hitters,” Casady said.

French, who halted opponents' running games by throwing out several would-be base stealers during the tournament, has come a long way according to Rojas.

“Greg did a phenomenal job. He played head's up baseball and he plays with a lot of pressure on him replacing Ian McLoughlin from last year. He works really hard and he has improved immensely,” Rojas said.