Giants

Despite a lot of heart and talent, the 2005 Major SB Stars exited the Section 3 All Star Tournament early this season, losing to the West Torrance Stars 12-4 Sunday night. The Stars had their chances early in the game, but just didn't get the timely hits necessary to pull this one out. After falling behind 4-0 in the first on solid hitting from the WT Stars, MB loaded the bases in the bottom of the first but could not push a run across. They surrendered another run in the second, but MB charged back for 4 runs in the bottom half of the inning to the delight of the large MB fan contingent. But the failure to capitalize on a no out bases loaded situation in the bottom of the 4th when trailing 6-4 spelled defeat. Reilly Hammond pitched another steady game, but did not get the strong defensive support the team enjoyed in game two. And despite clutch hitting performances from Carol Gentzler, Sara Derian and Hammond, the girls just could not string together the hits for the rally that was needed in the middle innings. WT put the game away in the later innings with a big two out rally on consecutive bullets to the alleys. But the MB Stars continued to battle, and showed great tenacity and character throughout the contest and tournament to make their fans proud. Congratulations to all the Stars for a tremendous effort. And thanks to Manager Kip Hammond, and coaches Craig Wesser and Mark Pavone for dedicating so much time and energy to make this team a success. It was a great experience for the girls, and we fans enjoyed every minute. And thanks to all the MB fans for such a strong showing of support. Next weekend both the MLL Junior SB All Stars and 9 & 10 Year Old Stars begin Sectional Tournament play. Both of these teams have a lot of promise and the fans are guaranteed to see great softball and some exciting games. The Juniors first game is on Friday, July 22 at 5 p.m. at West Torrance. The 9 & 10 All Stars start play on the same day, Friday July 22 at 7:15 p.m. at Westchester. Both fields are only 15 minutes from MB, so come out for some great family entertainment and support our Stars. More game details and directions are available on the MLL website: mbll.org. See you Friday at the cross-town doubleheader. Bill von Behren MLL - VP Softball ______________ In an impressive all around effort, the MB 11 & 12 Year Old Softball Stars rolled over Los Altos 10-3 Saturday night in impressive fashion to the delight of a large and boisterous MB crowd. Led by control specialist Kellie Wesser on the mound and the big bats of Reilly Hammond and Chloe Krasnoff among many others, the Stars jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. The Stars' impressive hitting attack behind the masterful pitching performance of Kellie Wesser was complimented by almost flawless fielding to combine for a dominant effort. Katie Saunders contributed another stellar catching performance to lead a stingy defense. The strong pitching and impenetrable defense completely shut down the Los Altos Stars until late in the game, when Los Altos pushed across a few runs to make the final score respectable. Relentless, balanced hitting provided more than enough runs as MB jumped to an early 5-0 lead after 3 innings, powered by a multiple hit game from Hammond, Krasnoff, Carol Gentzler, Chloe Conceicao, Laura Derian and Sara Derian. Montana Morgan and Stephanie Ren rounded out the offensive attack with key walks and a big hit to start another rally to allow MB to build an insurmountable 10-1 lead in the 5th inning. The Stars showed that they can play with any team tonight, and will have to put forth another all around performance to prevail on Sunday when they take on the powerful West Torrance Stars on their home field at 4:45. Please come out and cheer on the Stars. They will need a lot of support when they square off against the Tournament Host's entry. This game featured many MB fan sightings including the Humphrey, Kane, Lambert, Prendergast, and Griffith families, to just name a few fans who had no family members in the game but still came to see the game just for the sake of supporting MBLL teams. Well done. Hope to see you all on Sunday at 4:45 pm. at West Torrance. Go Stars!! Bill von Behren MLL - VP Softball ____________________ In a hard fought battle that was much closer than the final score would indicate, Manhattan Beach Little League's 11 & 12 Year Old Softball All Stars lost their first round contest in the Section 3 Tournament by the score of 5-0 at the hands of a strong North Venice team. The Major Stars were in a close, hard fought battle behind an impressive pitching performance turned in by Reilly Hammond until North Venice jumped to a 5-0 lead with two outs in the top of the 6th inning on a two run line drive home run that cleared the left field fence just a few feet in fair territory. Prior to that bullet, MLL was embroiled in a pitchers dual in which it seemed the MLL bats would rally at any time to erase an initial 2 run deficit in the 2nd inning that grew to a three run lead in the 3rd. North Venice featured a fire baller on the mound that stymied the MLL hitters the first time through the order, but the bats came alive in the fourth inning. The MLL Stars loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth highlighted by Chloe Krasnoff's double in the gap in right center. And another rally in the 5th was cut short on some fine defensive plays. Eventually North Venice settled down behind a powerful pitching performance and a strong defense to slam the door and preserve the shutout. Reilly Hammond deserved a much better fate having kept the Venice bats off balance for most of the contest mixing her pitches well and hitting her spots in a complete game effort to keep Manhattan in the game until the Major Stars' bats came alive. But despite an strong overall performance by the Manhattan Stars it just was not meant to be on this night. The Major Stars now face off against Los Altos at West Torrance Little League at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 16. Please come out and support our worthy stars. Bill von Behren MLL - VP Softball ________________ Friday, July 15 at 5:30 p.m. - District 36 Champion (Manhattan Beach) v. District 25 Champion (West L.A., North Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu area teams). The game will be played in West Torrance. The West Torrance Little League field is located at 5417 Halison St. in Torrance, CA 90503 (for mapquest or other searches.) It is about 15 minutes from MB. Directions to the field are noted below, or you can locate a map of the West Torrance Little League website, at WTLL.com.