May 30, 2008

Triple Play Highlights GV Angels 11-5 Win Over NC Yanks

If you don’t believe that there’s no replacement for excellent defense – just ask the Grass Valley Angels’ Little League baseball team.

Wednesday night in a District 11 major division interlock game at Pioneer Park in Nevada City, the Angels used a nifty triple play on defense to help turn back the Nevada City Yankees, 11-5.

Nursing a close lead and with the Yankees putting runners on first and second base with no outs, the Angels used a most opportune time to check in with the triple knock-out punch.

The rare play began when a Nevada City batter lofted a pop fly between home plate and the pitcher’s mound that Angels hurler Greg Paul hauled in via a full extension diving grab.

After making the catch, from his knees, Paul fired a strike to first baseman Wils Riley to double the Yankees runner off for the second out.

Riley then relayed the ball across the diamond to third sacker Josh Marceau who applied the tag for the third out to a sliding Yankees runner who had tagged up and was trying to advance.

Marceau’s two hits and four runs batted in sparked the Angels at the plate while both Riley and Clint Bielen also delivered big hits.