Cardinals

Friday, June 22nd: Manhattan Beach White Sox wins theTournament of Champions! The Manhattan Beach International White Sox clinched the District 36 Tournament of Champions with a convincing win over the Palos Verdes Cubs, 10-0. This win capped a 4-consecutive-game winning streak for the White Sox, where wins are required in this single elimination tournament, played entirely at Clark Field in Hermosa Beach this year. The Sox played 4 games over the past 8 days, stretching the entire team, especially the Sox's revered pitching staff. This final game was called in the bottom of the 4th inning, as the White Sox batted in their tenth run. They held the Cubs scoreless through those 4 innings. The defense featured simply spectacular pitching by Will Deseran, with a complete game, one hit shutout. Deseran threw only 57 pitches and notched 9 strikeouts against the good hitting Cubs team. Contributing to the defense was catcher Nathaniel (NJ) Johnson, who called a great game from behind the plate. Zach Loversky, playing in center field, made an unbelieveable catch of a hard hit line drive, and should easily be the play of the week on Sports Center. Finally, Duncan McKinnon - completing what could be called a series MVP performance - made 2 over-the-shoulder catches from shortstop, ranging way out to short center field to rob 2 Cubs hitters of otherwise easy base hits. The Sox brought their usual strength to the plate, well honed after so many tournament games this past week. Deseran led the team at the plate today, going 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and a triple, 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs - combined with his pitching, easily a game MVP performance! Other scoring notes include Ryan Kawahara, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored; Zach Loversky, RBI and run scored; Nick Cayton, 2 RBIs and run scored; Austin Yamada, 2 RBIs; Max Tullio, 2 walks including one intentional walk to avoid his hitting reputation. After consecutive singes each by Jakob Balen, Jeffery DeCoste, and Daniel Simsonsen, Deseran smacked his final double, a walk off shot that scored Balen and DeCoste, as the game was called in the 4th after the White Sox stretched their lead margin to 10 runs. In today's game, every single White Sox batter reached base safely. Overall, this past week required a solid team performance with contributions by the players, coaches, and families. MB White Sox players: Jakob Balen, Nick Cayton, Jeffrey DeCoste, Will Deseran, Nathaniel (NJ) Johnson, Ryan Kawahara, Zach Loversky, Duncan McKinnon, Daniel Simonsen, Max Tullio, Alex Wiberg, Austin Yamada. The White Sox were lead by Manager Mike McKinnon, Coach Mark Deseran, and assistant coaches Matt Tullio and Gary Kawahara. The Tournament of Champions was an outstanding experience for the entire White Sox family, and they are proud to bring this TOC win home to Manhattan Beach! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thursday, June 21st: Manhattan Beach White Sox advance to final round of Tournament of Champions! In another thrilling, down to the very last pitch victory, the Manhattan Beach International White Sox defeated the Silver Spur Mets by a score of 9-8 in six full innings. This semi-final win advances the White Sox to the final game - which will determine the Little League District 36 Minors Championship - on Friday, June 22nd! The White Sox - the visiting team for this game - took an early 4 run lead in the top of the first, with RBI-stole-home for Duncan McKinnon, followed with another by Will Deseran for another RBI and run. With bases loaded, Austin Yamada lined a 2 RBI single to center, and the Sox went to the field with a 4-0 score. Pitching for the White Sox remained a key element of their game, as pitchers Nick Cayton and Ryan Kawahara held the Mets sluggers to 6 runs, but the Sox faced a deficit, entering the 4th inning behind the Mets, 4-6. A 4th inning rally began with Duncan McKinnon stealing home after a long double, an RBI single for Kawahara to score Deseran, and a 2 RBI single for Max Tullio, and the White Sox regained the lead, 8-6! Superb pitching performances by Zach Loversky (a scoreless 5th), and Duncan McKinnon with another spectacular Save were required to hold down the Mets. After an insurance run by Will Deseran - scoring on 3 stolen bases after a leadoff single in the 6th, the White Sox went out defensively against the Mets, leading 9-7. The very tough Mets scored another run, and put the tying run at third and the winning run in scoring position at second base. The excitement and intensity were riveting, as over 100 spectators held their breath as McKinnon struck out the final Mets batter looking! The Manhattan Beach International White Sox are looking for your support at the final Tournament of Champions game, being played again at Clark Field in Hermosa Beach on Friday, June 22. We will be facing the Palos Verdes Cubs at 5pm. Please come out and cheer us to a District Championship! Go Manhattan Beach, and Go White Sox! _________________________________________________________________________________ Monday, June 18th: The Manhattan Beach International White Sox clenched an exhiliarating, come-from-behind victory over the El Segundo Cubs, by a score of 6-5. Playing at Clark Field in Hermosa Beach, this win advances them to the semi-final round of the Minors Tournament of Champions. Facing a 5-0 deficit after 3 innings, the White Sox rallied for 2 runs in the 4th, and 4 more runs in the 5th, while holding the hard-hitting Cubs scoreless in the 5th and 6th for this critical win. RBIs were scored for Max Tullio (RBI single), Austin Yamada (RBI single), Will Deseran (RBI single), Duncan McKinnon (RBI Stole Home), and Ryan Kawahara (2 RBI inside-the-park HR). Superb pitching by Nick Cayton and Duncan McKinnon - to White Sox gold glove catcher Will Deseran - was important as usual, but stellar defensive plays by NJ Johnson, Zach Loversky, Alex Wiberg, Cayton, Deseran and McKinnon helped underline a basically errorless defensive performance by the Sox. Please join us to help cheer the Manhattan Beach International White Sox to victory in the next game on Thursday, June 21st, at 7:30pm. We play at Clark Field in Hermosa Beach, and will be facing the team from Palos Verdes Silver Spur. __________________________________________________________________________________ The International White Sox opened the Minors Division of the Tournament of Champions with a 12-2 five inning victory over the Central Redondo Nationals on June 15th. Led by the solid pitching of Nick Cayton and Duncan McKinnon, the Nationals were held to two runs on two hits. The game was tight through four innings until the fifth when the White Sox exploded for 8 runs. The offense was led by NJ Johnson, who went 3 for 3, Duncan McKinnon, 1 for 1 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored and a game ending bases loaded double by Jakob Balen to drive in the final 3 runs. It was a total team effort and the kids enjoyed the tournament experience. The White Sox will play tonight, Monday June 18th, at 5pm at Clark Field in Hermosa against the team from El Segundo.