Edgar Melik-Stepanyan
It took one inning for Gangi Builders Major Baseball Coach Curt
Chase to start thinking about up-coming games.
His 11- and 12-year-old Little League team scored two runs and
looked impressive early on en route to a 13-2 victory against the
Burbank Indians on Tuesday at Babe Herman Field in the opening-round
of the Little League District 16 Tri-Cities Tournament.
Chase's starting pitcher, Matt McKenzie, pitched the first inning
and his relievers, Cory Galbraith and Kevin Chase, also tossed one
inning, as the team mentor saved his primary pitchers for future
games.
A.J. Bernhardt pitched the final three innings, allowing just two
of Gangi's six hits. Bernhardt, who notched the victory, also struck
out two and walked none.
The four hurlers combined for seven strikeouts.
"One of the strengths of our team is we have a lot of pitchers who
throw strikes," said Curt Chase, whose team, the runner-up in the
Crescenta Valley Little League, improved to 16-11.
"We have confidence in all of them."
Galbraith's two-run home run -- his second of the season -- in the
first inning was only a sign of things to come. Gangi added five runs
in the third, one in the fifth and five more in the sixth.
Five starters (Bernhardt, Carlo Monasterio, Galbraith, McKenzie
and Kenny Dacher) and one reserve (Alex Reid) scored at least two
runs.
"One of our strongest points is our offense," Galbraith said.
"Coach told us before the game that we are one of the better teams in
the tournament and that gave us a little [confidence] boost."
Monasterio went three for five and drove in the final three runs
with a bases-loaded double to right-center field.
"If we can get contributions from throughout our lineup, that will
be very important," Curt Chase said.
Gangi had three extra-base hits, including a double from McKenzie,
and four stolen bases.
"Gangi played a great game," said Indian Coach Bill Birtell, whose
squad surrendered four unearned runs. "They made the plays when they
had to.
"We just gave away too many runs [because of our] errors. The kids
made a great effort and we'll come back Thursday and try harder."
Indian Austin Holgate hit his first home run of the season to left
field, giving Burbank its first run after Gangi built a 7-0 lead.
Eric Birtell's double in the fifth inning scored Perry Stevens. ,
who had reached base on an infield single. Eric's twin brother, Troy,
had two hits.
His teammate, Dylan Cochran, also had a double.
BOX SCORE
Gangi 2 0 5
0 1 5 -- 13 12
1
Indians 0 0 1
0 1 0 -- 2 6
3
Gangi IP H R
ER BB K
McKenzie
Galbraith
Chase
Bernhardt 1 1
1
3 2
0
2
2 0
0
1
1 0
0
1
1 0
0
0
0 2
3
0
2
Totals 6 6 2
2 0 7
Indians IP H R
ER BB K
E. Birtell
Holgate
T. Birtell 3
2
1 8
2
2 7
1
5 4
0
5 2
0
3 4
3
1
Totals 6 12 13
9 5 8
WP-- Bernhardt (n/a).
LP-- Birtell (n/a).
2B: G-McKenzie, Monasterio; I-Carter, Cochran,
E. Birtell.
HR: G-Galbraith (2); I-Holgate (1).
SB: G-Chase, Inda, Monasterio, Reid.
