YOUTH SCENE: Local duo does its part in title run

A pair of Laguna Beach athletes helped guide the Yankees to the Bronco Baseball championship.

Bryan Ludloff and Preston Grand Pre came up with key performances during a four-game playoff stretch that led to the two sharing the tournament’s Most Valuable Player honor. The Yankees won all four games to emerge as Bronco (ages 11 and 12) champions Sunday.

In the opening round of the playoffs, the Yankees held on for a 7-5 win over the Cardinals. The Cardinals trailed, 7-5, in the final inning but put runners at first and third when Yankees pitcher Jake Rutherford and shortstop Ludloff picked off a baserunner at second base for the second out. Ludloff then fired the ball to Grand Pre at the plate, and his tag caught the runner from third base attempting to come home. The dramatic double play ended the game.

In their next playoff game, the Yankees faced a Pirates team that was considered among the favorites for the title. There was no late-inning drama this time, as Ludloff came up with three hits and two stolen bases and the Yankees went on to hand the Pirates just their fifth loss of the year, a 5-1 setback.

The win sent the Yankees on to the semifinal round against a White Sox squad that had defeated the Yankees in the last two meetings between the teams. This time, the Yankees turned the tables, getting a pair of doubles from Grand Pre en route to a 7-3 win.

The title game matched the Yankees against the A’s and Grand Pre and Ludloff combined pitching duties for the Yankees. The pair came up with 14 strikeouts that led to a 6-1 victory and the Bronco title. Ludloff led the Yankees during the playoffs with 10 hits and eight stolen bases. Grand Pre struck out 20 batters and gave up only one earned run in the four-game run to the championship.

The Bronco tournament was played at Del Obispo fields in Dana Point. The Yankees are made up of players from several cities in south Orange County. Ludloff and Grand Pre were the only two players from Laguna Beach on the team.