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Published on 07/07/1999 All articles from this issue

LA Devil Rays capture Bronco title

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Town Crier Staff Report

The Devil Rays defeated the Diamondbacks 17-14 last month to claim the Los Altos Pony League's Bronco Division championship.

The June 7 game featured the league's two top teams, with the Diamondbacks seeded first and the Devil Rays second.

The Devil Rays reached the championship of the double-elimination tournament with wins over the Tigers, Blue Jays and Orioles. The Diamondbacks, who lost to the Orioles in the second round, had to work their way through the loser's bracket to make the title game.

Coach Tom Haury's Devil Rays led 11-5 after four innings, thanks largely to hits by Michael Bellagamba (home run, triple); Tim Busbin (3-for-4, three runs), Troy Haury (2-for-2, four runs) and Paul Marcoux (three runs). The team also got doubles from David Krueger, Alex Mrozack and Samantha Williams.

However, coach Tom Davis' Diamondbacks proved they still had plenty of sting left in them. Leading their come-back attack were Brian Bianchi (2-for-3, three runs), Brett Mlinarich, (2-for-3, three runs) Tim Kimball (3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs) and Reed Koster (4-for-4, three runs).

In the bottom of the seventh, the Diamondbacks started out with singles by Kimball, Mlinarich, Koster and Travis Brabant, followed by an infield error and a walk. This put them down only three runs with the bases loaded, no outs and the top of the order in sight. After a strike out, the Devil Rays' Marcoux and Busbin teamed up for a put-out at the plate on a passed ball. With one more strike out, the Devil Rays put the game away, successfully defending their 1998 Bronco title.

Pitching for coach Tom Davis' Diamondbacks were Bianchi, Eric Davis and Mlinarich. On the mound for the Devil Rays were Troy Haury, Marcoux, and Busbin.

Other members of the championship Devil Rays were Matt Essary, Daniel Griffith, Tim Mezak, Rick Momboisse and Kyle Wulff.