Scrappers

06/15/11 Ocean View LL Rockhounds 4, Costa Mesa American LL Blue Jays 3

The resilient Rockhounds rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth Wednesday --capped by Shane Hoodman’s walkoff RBI single to center field – to advance to the semifinals of the District 62 Minor B Tournament at Robinwood Little League.

The Blue Jays had pushed across a run in the top of the sixth to break a 2-2 tie before the Rockhounds answered.

Kaleb Plewa opened the Rockhounds’ sixth with a walk. Plewa reached scoring position on a wild pitch and Thomas Williams followed with the game-tying single. Williams later moved to third on Chance DiMarco’s smash to the Jays’ second baseman. One out later, Hoodman drilled a single to plate Williams with the winning run, triggering a wild celebration.

The Jays broke a scoreless tie in the fourth after loading the bases with nobody out. Rockhounds reliever David Drigla, making his postseason debut, limited the damage, allowing just an RBI groundout and an infield single as Costa Mesa built a 2-0 lead.

The Rockhounds answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by Drigla’s two-strike infield single to third base as Cole Kaplan beat the throw to the plate, tying the game.

Hoodman (3 innings-plus), Drigla (one inning), DiMarco (two-thirds of an inning) and Williams (1-1/3 innings) combined to hold the Jays to four hits, striking out 11.

The Rockhounds’ Nick Chumacero got aboard twice on walks, making it five straight times he’s reached safely in the tournament. Lisa Tobin, Tyler La Force and Reilly Kells also played key roles for the Rockhounds.