D-backs hold on

* LITTLE LEAGUE: The Angels’ rally fell just short and the

Diamondbacks prevailed, 9-8, in Newport Beach Little League AAA

action.

The D-backs scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning

behind the hitting of Ben Greiner, Chandler Mitchell, Brian Smith and

Cort Hastings, but the Angels rallied behind the offense of Conor

Kort, Jake Starnes and Nathan Wagner.

Sandon Griffin of the D-backs pitched four innings, scattering two

runs and two hits while Wagner threw hitless innings, allowing three

unearned runs.

In other AAA play:

* D-backs 4, Angels 3

Trent Boras and Blake Miller limited the Angels to three hits and

three runs over five innings in the D-backs’ victory.

The Angels countered with strong pitching from Brian Ford and

Derek Spreitzer.

Smith, Austin Barvin, Greiner and Boras each collected hits for

the D-backs, with Boras knocking in the go-ahead run.

Eric Hallet and Ford collected hits for the Angels.

CdM third at state

* SOCCER: The Corona del Mar boys under-10 All-Star soccer team

comprised of Brennan Anderson, Garrett Larson, Kjell Wolker, Connor

Gaal, Hector Marino, Clark Cashion, Brent Gray, Mason Case, Blake

Thomsen, Jack Gorab, Jack McBean and Brent Lawson, placed third in

the State Championship Soccer Tournament by beating Pasadena, 2-0, in

the consolation final last weekend.

CdM lost in a semifinal to South Central Los Angeles on penalty

kicks after the teams remained scoreless after two overtime periods.

Rob Case, Bob Gorab and Scotty McBean coach the team.

Newport undefeated

* SOCCER: The AYSO Region 97 girls under-10 soccer team from

Newport Beach remained undefeated in spring select play with a 3-1

win over San Clemente Saturday.

Lauren Grupe, Kiana Whipple and Blakeley Ficenec each scored goals

in the victory. Natalie Swift played well at midfield and Sadye Busby

shone on defense.

Newport faces Santa Margarita Saturday at Harper School at 10:15

a.m.