Pinto Red Sox Rise to Occasion

Mustang Phillies and Bronco Red Sox Also Prevail in PPBA Deciding Games

Facing a must-win situation for the first time all season, the Pinto Red Sox played like champions last Thursday afternoon at the Palisades Recreation Center’s Field of Dreams. When it was finally over, they were champions. The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 12-3 to complete one of the most dominant seasons in Palisades Pony Baseball Association history, especially in the youngest age group (7 & 8-year-olds). “It was scary because I knew whoever wins today wins the whole thing,” said eight-year-old Caroline Douglas, Red Sox second baseman and a student at St. Matthew’s. “I wasn’t sure we’d win but I’m happy we did.” The Red Sox rolled through the regular season and playoffs like a freight train, entering Wednesday’s finals with a 18-2 record. Then Jason Reese’s Phillies–who dealt the Sox one of their two losses–used timely hitting and stout defense to win 3-1 and force an extra game. On Thursday, however, the Red Sox got back to doing what they do best–score runs. It began in the second inning when Nick Massey’s bases-loaded single plated two. Ahead 6-3 in the sixth, Alexander Hurley and Ari Sallas each had RBI hits to ignite another rally. When Douglas fielded a ground ball and tossed it to Shane Skelly at first base for the final out, the celebration began. “This is a perfect ending to a three-month journey,” Coach Mark Skelly said. “We had so much depth. I give the Phillies credit, though. They matched us defensively. We only lost three times and two of those were to them.” Three Pinto Red Sox–Caroline Douglas, Joe Suddleson and Andrew Sington–had older siblings (Matt Douglas, Jake Suddleson and Jonathan Sington) playing for the Bronco Red Sox, who won the championship 20 minutes later. Mustang (Ages 9-10) Winning championships is becoming, well, old hat for William Winkenhower. The Corpus Christi School 10-year-old won his third PPBA title in four seasons last Thursday when the Phillies, coached by Mike Bennett, shook off a loss the previous day to beat the Dodgers 8-3. Winkenhower won with the Tigers his first year in Pinto, lost in extra innings in the finals with the Dodgers the next year and won the Mustang Division with the Cubs last season. “I like them all the same–they’ve all been fun,” he said of his multiple PPBA titles. “This year we weren’t doing our best until we started really hitting and fielding well before the playoffs.” Winkenhower doubled to open the game, then Colin Enzer singled to drive him in. The Phillies led 3-0 after one inning and 5-3 after three innings thanks to Jeff Stuart, who was pitching for the first time in the playoffs. Winkenhower threw shutout ball the rest of the way. The Dodgers won 11-9 in extra innings last Wednesday to force a rematch the following afternoon. They staved off elimination three times in the playoffs thanks to pitchers Jason Starrels and Zach Lynch. Bronco (Ages 11-12) Hugh Dodson’s Red Sox avenged an earlier playoff defeat to Korosh Soltani’s Cardinals, winning the decisive game 17-5 in four innings. Jonah Jacobson had two singles and scored a run, Connor Page singled and scored, Jasper Shorr and Ryan Bostick scored runs, Henry Fillo hit a long drive to center field and P.J. Hurst made a diving catch in center field for the Cardinals, who drew even in the second inning. “Our hitting improved, from top to bottom our lineup came alive,” Red Sox assistant coach Eric Suddleson said. “These last four or five games we really pulled it all together. It seemed like everyone made a big play.” Matt Douglas and Alec Dodson each pitched two innings for the Red Sox. Mac Bradley bunted and ended up on third base, one of many wacky plays in a first inning that saw the teams combine to score nine runs. Jonathan Sington and Douglas each scored three times, Dylan Joyce made a running catch in left field with the bases loaded in the fourth inning and Charlie Carr smacked the game-ending single that scored Bradley. Douglas had clouted two home runs in the Red Sox’ thrilling 6-5 victory Wednesday, which set up the winner-take-all second game. Pony (Ages 13-14) All three Pacific Palisades teams won their playoff openers last weekend and two are still alive in the postseason tournament. Pali Blue won its first game on Saturday, as Brett Elder and Matt Comisar combined for a no-hitter in a 16-1 thumping of the Metro Pirates. Sam Wasserman was a terror at the plate, clubbing three home runs. Blue faced the Cheviot Hills Red Wings on Tuesday (results undetermined at press time). Pali Red outscored the Cheviot Hills Sidewinders 7-6 Saturday in Santa Monica. Justin Ruder pitched five innings and Jack Jordan pitched the final two in relief. Hagen Smith made several key defensive plays at second base to keep his team in the game. Pali Red played second-place Santa Monica Blue on Wednesday (results unavailable at press time). Pali White won its first game by forfeit on Saturday but lost 6-3 the following day to Metro 3.