Newport Beach Little League

The National League Champion Cardinals won the AAA Newport Beach Little League Championship over the American League Champion Yankees, 17-5. The first inning was full of fireworks with both teams combining for ten runs. The Cardinal’s attack in the first was led by a single from Reed Quackenbush and a three run triple by Jack Denning. The Yankees came storming back in the first with walks by Stephen Menzia, Milad Rohani and Mitch Haly along with singles from Henry Fenmore and Jack Van Dalsem. After yielding 5 runs in the first, Cardinal starting pitcher Stephen Von Der Ahe settled down with two shutout innings, striking out the order in the second, while Kenny Tague came through with an outstanding catch with 2 Yankees on base to end the third. The Cardinal’s went ahead for good when Paris Mamatas started a four run rally with a two out single in the third. The rest of the Cardinal’s attack was provided with two hits each from Nico Fracchia, Derek Mathuny, Nicholas Ontiveros and Jacob Folsom. Pitcher Fracchia along with batterymate James Turner came in to shut down the Yankees in the last 2 innings, with Fracchia striking out 4 of the last 6 hitters he faced.   The Cards finished the regular season 8 – 8 before defeating 4 teams in the playoffs to reach the Championship game against the Yankees. 

The Hill Brothers (Kevin and Randall) named NBLL Major Division Sportsman(s) of the Year, 2008.