Kiehnle sparks big rally

NEWPORT BEACH — No run is ever safe in a baseball game.

Those words rang true for William Lyons, a team comprised of 14-year-old boys who played like men to capture the Newport Harbor Baseball Assn. championship on Wednesday night at Ensign Intermediate School.

William Lyons recovered from an early three-run deficit and rallied with an explosive five-run fourth inning to beat UBS, 7-3, in the Pony Division.

“All these players came out ready to play,” William Lyons Coach Tim Kuzmic said. “We got down by three runs in the first inning, [which was] not a problem for us, [we] just kept going and battling.

“We played a very tough team, it was unbelievable.”

Tyler Kiehnle picked up the victory for William Lyons in a game which he started at first base, pitched and then finished at third base. He also led his team’s rally in the fourth inning.

All seemed quiet until the game-altering fourth, which crushed the spirits of UBS. Kiehnle had a two-run double, but reached third base on the throw to the plate. Aaron White ripped a RBI single to left, and then stole second and third. Tony Campo was then hit by a pitch and Scott Beach walked to load the bases. Lyons collected two unearned runs to cap the scoring.

William Lyons also had a run in the bottom of the first. Matt Carpenter’s sacrifice fly brought Brett Parker home.

“They played a really good game,” UBS Coach Jeff Gardner said. “Most of the time at this level it seems the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins, but we didn’t make a bunch of mistakes, they just played really solid.”

UBS had started the game with such promise, leading 3-0 after its top half of the first.

Chris Freeman had an RBI double. Cole Blower then had a RBI single, which bounced lifelessly to the third baseman. David Silverberg then reached base on a fielder’s choice which enabled Freeman to score the third and final run of the inning.

UBS pitcher Tommy Bubonic battled for four innings, until being relieved.

“I know they’re a tough team and you have to pitch them in different spots to strike them out,” Bubonic said. “We tried to do that and we tried our hardest, but they came out and won. You know what; you win some you lose some.”

UBS tried to stay alive in the top of the fifth inning, with a two-out single by Bubonic. Alex Beyrooty then had a double, but the two teammates were stranded as the inning ended.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, William Lyons added more drama. Sean Goodwin hit what appeared to be a line drive triple down the third baseline into left field. Goodwin failed to tag first base and still had an RBI, although he was thrown out at first base while he rested on third, thinking he was safe.

Kuzmic immediately left the dugout to contest the call, but managed to maintain his composure, despite his frustration.

“They said he missed the base, it’s OK,” Kuzmic said. “It was a beautiful hit down the line; we need that insurance run just for our confidence. I never keep my composure, I’m a spaz.”

UBS failed to have any runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings, and the game ended bittersweet for them.

“We had a great season,” Gardner said. “We just ran into a team that played very well and I felt we played a good game, I thought our guys had some decent at bats. We just didn’t score that much.”

JASON KORNFELD may be reached at (714) 966-4616.