Reds down Sox in P.O.N.Y. Broncos

The Bronco Reds and Red Sox closed out the Ojai P.O.N.Y. baseball season on Saturday with a closely matched eight-inning game. The Reds watched a five-run lead dwindle to a tie in the seventh inning. David Brown pitched seven strong innings, but the Red Sox hit the ball hard in the seventh to stay in the game.

With runners in scoring position, game tied, Nathan Wickstrum came in relief and the Reds' defense stopped the Red Sox. In the eighth inning, the Reds turned out five runs and Wickstrum's pitching stopped the Red Sox battery. The final score was 17-12. Both teams had 16 hits each. The Reds finished the season undefeated in league and tournament play.

The final inning was a special moment for opposing coaches Steve Wickstrum and Lance Wiggins. "It was something we talked about many years ago, being in a final game, tie score, opposite sides of the field, and a large crowd of P.O.N.Y. participants watching, good competition with an exciting finish to the season," said Steve Wickstrum after the game.

In the Friday night Bronco consolation game, the Dodgers defeated the Rangers, 13-3. Strong pitching performances by Dodgers' Jonathan Bower and Eric Banks powered the victory.
In the Mustang division, the Angels defeated the Mets in the championship game, 6-2. Ethan Harder pitched four strong innings, allowing only two runs to the Mets. Alex Leckie completed pitching the last two innings by shutting down the Mets' bats. In the Mustang consolation game, the Giants defeated the A's.

The Pinto division saw a well-played game between coach Mikey Dawkins's Angels and coach Jayden Morrison's Dodgers. The Angels claimed the Pinto championship in a 12-2 slugfest.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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