Sports
Loma Linda Squanders Chances in Loss
Little League team leaves 11 players on base in Major Division tournament opener.
The final score of Tuesday night's District 21 Tournament opener between Bloomington Little League and Loma Linda Little League told two stories.
Ronny Butler's monsterous sixth-inning grand slam, which broke a 3-3 tie, gave Bloomington a 9-4 victory.
But a closer look at the box score tells a story of missed chances for Loma Linda.
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The team of 11- and 12-year-olds outhit Bloomington 10-6, but left 11 runners on base, all of them in scoring position.
"The main hit, and we couldn't do it," said Loma Linda manager Ulysses Rodriguez. "That's killing us. But on the positive was our hitting. We'll get it together and be strong on Thursday."
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Both teams got strong outings from their starters. Loma Linda's Diego Soto struck out eight in four innings, leaving the game after throwing 84 pitches. His Bloomington counterpart, Marcus Martin, struck out seven in four innings, hitting his 85 pitch count exactly, leaving with the 3-2 lead.
Loma Linda tied it in the fifth against Butler. With one out, Josh Hinejosa singled, and went to second on a passed ball. Nathanyl Rangel followed by hitting a slow grounder between first and second for a single, but a wild, late throw allowed Hinejosa to score.
But it unraveled in the sixth. Michael Elemendorf started the inning by reaching on an error. After two walks loaded the bases, Butler launched his first pitch over the batting cage situated beyond the left field fence.
Loma Linda mounted a rally in the bottom half, getting its first two runners on. before David Medina came on in relief of Butler. Medina struck out three of the four batters he faced to close the game.
Adam Hale doubled home two runs in the first inning for Loma Linda, and Zack Evangelista was 2-for-2 with a run scored.
Bloomington's Martin was 3-for-4, including a line home run over the left-center field fence, which had given Bloomington a 3-2 lead in the third inning.
Loma Linda will play Grand Terrace in an elimination game at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Max Lofy Field in Colton.