National All-Stars slam Aliso

Steve Virgen

When the sun is beating down and the calendar is about to turn to

July, anxiety and high expectations abound at Little League diamonds

all across Orange County. At the District 55 Major All-Stars

tournament, a 100% effort and team work are the requirements. The

Newport Beach Little League National All-Stars met the challenge and

went beyond by providing several highlight plays at Curtis Park

Saturday.

Perhaps, the NBLL National All-Stars’ signature moment came in the

top of the sixth inning of their 13-2 first-round victory over Aliso

Viejo. With the bases loaded and two out, Camden Nicholson pounded a

1-2 pitch over the left-center field fence for his first-ever home

run and grand slam.

As Nicholson rounded second base he rose his arms to the air in

celebration. His friends and teammates cheered loudly in the dugout.

The four runs gave the NBLL National All-Stars an insurmountable 13-2

lead.

“I was real amazed,” Nicholson said of his feelings after the

grand slam. “That was my first home run ever and it was a grand slam,

so that was pretty cool.”

Nicholson, who scored three runs, had two hits and was hit by a

pitch, also provided highlights and savvy baserunning in the fourth.

The NBLL National All-Stars’ leadoff hitter produced a hard-hit

chopper that bounced off the shortstop’s face. The Aliso Viejo player

remained in the game.

Nicholson advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third base

and, later slid across the plate after a passed ball.

“I was hoping they would bring their A game and they did,” NBLL

National All-Stars Manager John Della Grotta said of his players.

“The nice thing was that they gelled as a team. Everyone made a

contribution.”

Della Grotta said his players came alive and gained much

confidence in the top of the second inning, when they scored three

runs with two out. Reed Zachman reached base on a fielder’s choice,

Steven Manning singled and Nicholson was hit by the pitch to load the

bases.

Then, Fletcher Della Grotta delivered a two-out, first-pitch

double to left-center field, scoring Zachman and Manning. James

Petrilli followed with a single that scored Nicholson.

After Nicholson’s aforementioned run on a passed ball in the

fourth, the NBLL National All-Stars scored three more runs in the

fifth, when Zachman provided a well-placed bunt that led to an error

and a run to score. Scott Ely led off the inning with an infield

single as he beat the throw to first after his ground ball to the

shortstop. Hunter Alder was walked and Zachman followed with his

bunt, scoring Ely.

Nicholson singled to bring in Alder. Nicholson’s hit caused an

error, allowing for Zachman to score as well. In the sixth, the NBLL

National All-Stars produced five hits and six runs, as Bradley Hess,

Andrew Watt, Alder, Manning and Nicholson provided the hits.

In addition to the NBLL National All-Stars’ offensive showing,

they provided a solid defensive performance, as well, led by Fletcher

Della Grotta, the right-handed pitcher who contributed an important

complete-game victory. He struck out seven and walked two, allowing

five hits and two runs on 89 pitches.

In the bottom of the sixth, he appeared spent, as his shoulders

slumped perhaps because of the heat.

“I was just tired,” the pitcher said. “I just wanted to throw the

ball over the plate and hope that they didn’t hit it.”

Fletcher Della Grotta retired the first five batters and did not

allow a run until the fifth inning, when Aliso Viejo scored twice. To

end the game, Della Grotta struck out the batter swinging.

“It was good that we got six innings out of our pitcher,” John

Della Grotta said of his son. “That allowed us to save our pitchers

for the next game and the rest of the tournament.”

Michael Bloom, who played right field, Scott Thomsen, who had one

hit and played first, and Max Frisbie also contributed to the

victory.

In the bottom of the third, Zachman showed his alertness as he

gloved a low, screaming line drive to end the inning. Before Fletcher

Della Grotta struck out the game’s final batter, Manning also made a

nice grab of a line drive.

The NBLL National All-Stars return to action Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

at Curtis Park Field No. 1, where they will take on Rancho Mission

Viejo, which had a first-round bye. The winner advances to the

quarterfinals in the double-elimination tournament.