Little League baseball: FV Marlins are trophy fish

Tony Altobelli

HUNTINGTON BEACH - With history already in their back pockets, the

Costa Mesa National Little League Major Division Marlins got greedy and

tried to win all of District 62. But they came up one inning short in

Wednesday’s 8-6 loss to the Fountain Valley Marlins at Wardlow Park.

By making the final, Costa Mesa reached unchartered waters for any

Costa Mesa Little League team and with a 6-1 lead heading into the final

inning, the promised postgame “jig” by assistant coach Rob Stillman

appeared immanent.

But some key hits by Fountain Valley, including a three-run home run

by Jeff Spirk capped off a seven-run sixth inning that ended the locals’

impressive playoff run, leaving the 1993 Newport Beach Dodgers as the

last local TOC champion (they won the District 55 crown).

“Talk about a game of inches,” Manager Paul Errington said. “Despite

the tough loss, we had a great time all season long. It’s been about fun

since day one and our parents and fans really make it just that. I’m

proud of all the players.”

After Fountain Valley won the coin flip and elected to be visitors,

Costa Mesa took the lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Brice Stillman’s short popup was dropped by the Fountain Valley

catcher, allowing Stillman to advance all the way to second. He went to

third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball, giving Mesa a 1-0

lead.

More Fountain Valley mistakes helped Costa Mesa increase its lead in

the second inning. After Adam Seagondollar singled and Stillman walked

with two outs, Vinnie Valdez’s fly ball to right was dropped by the

outfielder, allowing both runners to score, giving Mesa a 3-0 lead.

Fountain Valley took a gift from Costa Mesa in the third. Jordan Brown

hit a routine grounder to third base, but the throw to first went wide,

allowing Brown to advance to third. Mesa tried to throw out Brown at

third, but that throw sailed high and Brown came home, cutting the lead

to 3-1.

Costa Mesa starter P.J. Errington remained focused and kept Fountain

Valley’s bats quiet for four innings. He allowed only one hit and struck

out four.

“His offspeed stuff was working very well today,” Paul Errington said.

“When his changeup and curveball are working like that, his fastball

comes right behind it and it’s a very effective combination.”

Costa Mesa’s lead continued to grow in the fourth. Stillman walked and

Valdez singled to left before P.J. Errington drove in Stillman with a

single to center.

Valdez, from second base, worked a delayed steal to perfection,

swiping third after the catcher tossed the ball back to the pitcher. The

pitcher threw wildly to third on the play, allowing Valdez to score and

sending the frenzied Mesa fans into an uproar.

Errington moved to third on Valdez’s trickery and after Anthony

Secrest walked, Errington scored on a successful double steal, making it

6-1.

Seagondollar pitched a successful fifth inning, before Fountain Valley

staged its mammoth comeback.

A double, single, three questionable walks and another single brought

up Spirk, Fountain Valley’s best hitter, with one out and Mesa leading,

6-5.

“I thought about walking him, but you never want to load the bases in

a close game,” Paul Errington said. “But I had a funny feeling something

was going to happen during that at-bat.”

Sure enough, Spirk hit the first pitch over the left-field fence,

giving Fountain Valley the lead for good.

Jeff Spirk and his brother, John, combined to strike out 15 Costa Mesa

batters. “We’ve faced nothing but the best pitchers from the opposition

all season long,” Paul Errington said. “But those guys were pretty good.

They hit their spots well.”

Despite the heartbreaking loss, it took a candy bar, a silver medal

and an announcement for an end-of-the-year pool party at Errington’s

house to put smiles on the players’ faces.

Costa Mesa finished the season with a record of 24-7 and two Marlin

players, P.J. Errington and Valdez, will continue summer action with the

CMNLL Major All-Stars.

Another souvenir for many Mesa players will be their dyed blond hair,

an act of unity performed before Wednesday’s championship game.

DISTRICT 62 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

Final

FV Marlins 8, CM Marlins 6

Fountain Valley 001 007 - 8 6 4

Costa Mesa 120 300 - 6 5 2

Errington, Seagondollar (5) and Valdez; Jo. Spirk, Je. Spirk (4) and

Johnson. W - Jeff Spirk. 2B - Jo. Spirk (FV). HR - Je. Spirk (FV).