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Sports

Pacific Palisades Baseball All-Star Teams Enjoy Field Day

The PPBA's Broncos and Mustangs advance to the championship round.

Big innings have defined the Pacific Palisades Bronco team in its first two games of this year's Pony Baseball Section 1 All-Star Tournament.

In the first round Thursday, Palisades had a five-run inning and a six-run inning on its way to a 14-10 victory over East Long Beach.

Those, however, paled in comparison to the 14 runs Palisades put on the scoreboard in the fourth inning alone Sunday in the winner's bracket final against Torrance.

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Palisades batted around three times in the inning--once before a single out was recorded--and won 17-7 in a game stopped after five innings by way of the 10-run mercy rule.   

"It was pretty amazing," Howard said of Palisades' fourth-inning hit parade. "We've been swinging the bats really well and everyone got into the act."  

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Palisades can clinch the Section title in a rematch with East Long Beach Monday at 4:30 p.m. on Field 2 at the Palisades Recreation Center's Field of Dreams complex. If East Long Beach wins the teams would meet for a third time Tuesday to determine which will move on to the Super Region. 

Palisades scored two runs in the second inning and one run in the third to build a 3-1 lead behind starting pitcher Jason Starrels, who allowed two hits before handing the ball to reliever Hank Korsan in the fourth. Palisades led 17-1 before East Long Beach rallied for six runs in the fifth--one short of what it needed to extend the game.

Ten of Palisades' 14 players had hits. Gabe Stewart belted a three-run home run, Will Bantle had two doubles and two RBIs, Starrels had two hits and three RBIs, Emmett Collins had two hits and Adam Snyder had one hit and two RBIs. 

Bronco Division (ages 11-12) all-star games are seven innings, one more than the regulation six during the Pony League season. 

"We're in the catbird seat," Palisades Bronco Manager David Howard said. "They would have to beat us twice to win it."

Click here to view the Bronco Section 1 Tournament bracket.

The Palisades Mustang (ages 9-10) all-stars made some music of their own Sunday with a 12-2 rout of Pico Rivera that moved them into the final round of the Pony District 1 Tournament against Santa Monica.

Since losing to Santa Monica 3-2 in extra innings Thursday, Palisades has reeled off three consecutive mercy wins to tear through the loser's bracket--outscoring Lynwood, Cheviot Hills and Pico Rivera by a 38-5 margin.

Bryant Reese pitched the first three innings and Jack Sandifer pitched one shutout inning in relief for Palisades, which must defeat Santa Monica twice to win the championship, starting with Monday's 4:30 p.m. game on Field 1.

If Palisades wins, the teams play at the same time Tuesday to determine the champion.

"We have a really talented team and I think what happened is that we came into the first game a little rusty," Palisades Manager Jason Reese said. "We turned it around Saturday and have kept it rolling. Today, everyone played well. We've played for games and none of them have gone the normal six innings. We lost the first game in eight and we've won each of the last three in four."

Reese, Harrison Listen, Justin Howard, Xander Hurley each had two hits and scored two runs.

"The ideal scenario would be for both us and the Broncos to win tomorrow so they can watch us play again Tuesday," Reese said.

Whether it wins or loses Monday, Palisades has already secured a spot in the Sectionals Tournament.

Click here to view the Mustang District 1 Tournament bracket.

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