Winning season ends for OV

A successful 2006 Little League season came to an end for the Ocean View 10/11-year-old All-Star team after it was eliminated from Section 5 Tournament play.

Needing a victory in an elimination game against Laguna Niguel — the winner would advance to face Tustin in the division’s championship game — Ocean View dropped a 7-2 decision on July 25.

It was the second loss in the double-elimination tournament for District 62 representative Ocean View, and both losses came at the hands of District 55’s Laguna Niguel.

Laguna Niguel handed Ocean View a 10-2 loss in the tournament opener for both teams on July 21.

Tustin of District 30 capped an undefeated run in the tournament and won the Section 5 title by defeating Laguna Niguel, 10-1, on July 26.

In the tournament, Ocean View had posted victories over West Garden Grove, 11-3, and stayed alive by defeating Trabuco Canyon, 4-2, on July 24.

In previous action:Ocean View 4, Trabuco

Canyon 2

Ocean View advanced to take on Laguna Niguel for a second time after defeating Trabuco Canyon of District 68 in an elimination contest.

It was a close game throughout, although Ocean View appeared to be off and running after grabbing a 3-0 lead in its first at-bat.

In the top of the first inning, Jacob Caron and Grant Mayeaux each hit grounders that Trabuco Canyon infielders couldn’t handle. Zachary Gates then drew a walk to load the bases for Casey Hayes, who delivered a two-run single to the left field. Gates went on to score on a passed ball for the third run of the inning.

Hayes and Caron shared pitching duties for Ocean View. The duo scattered nine hits and were backed by the play of outfielders Max Gibbs, Jake Bauers and Kevin Engesser. All three came up with key catches to thwart rallies.

Mayeaux came up with a highlight reel play in the fifth inning with runners at second and third. He scurried down the foul line into left field and slid feet first into the fence to record a catch for a key out.

The play, Ocean View Manager Gorden Gates said, drew a roar from the crowd.

“We had a lot of huge plays in the game, but Mayeaux’s catch got the adrenaline pumping again for our team and our fans,” Gates said.

Trabuco Canyon staged one final comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth by putting runners at first and second with two out. But Caron got Trabuco Canyon’s clean-up hitter to send a grounder to Mayeaux at shortstop, and he stepped on the bag at second base to end the game.

Ocean View’s offense managed just four hits in the game and was led by Hayes, who went two for three with a double and two runs batted in. Max Gibbs doubled and scored a run and Zachary Gates singled and scored.

“Teams have scouted us and they are throwing their No. 1 pitcher at us,” Gorden Gates said. “That’s showing a lot of respect for this team. Today, we took advantage of our opportunities by scoring early and relying on our pitching and defense to carry us through.”

The Ocean View 10/11 All-Stars are Jake Bauers, Jacob Caron, Kevin Engesser, David Feirstein, Luke Fell, Zachary Gates, Max Gibbs, Casey Hayes, Grant Mayeaux, Dakoda Muta, Dane Perkins, Patrick Shearer, Drew Stanfield, Manager Gorden Gates and coaches Patrick Gibbs and Wade Caron.