Firefighters show little mercy

The Firefighters of Laguna Beach Little League racked up a trio of one-sided victories in recent Juniors Division play.

On Monday, the Firefighters routed the Laguna Hills Red Sox, 18-5, to mark the third straight outing they had scored a mercy rule victory.

In notching their eighth victory in 11 games this season, the Firefighters batted through their order in the first inning. They scored six runs, yet managed only one hit in the frame but took advantage of seven walks and a sacrifice fly to grab control early.

Laguna also went through its order in its second at-bat this time, scoring 10 runs on five hits and six more walks. The Firefighters pushed across their final two runs in the third inning.

Luke Dressler, Casey Miller, Ben Hanson and Travis Sampson all singled, Jackson Christy doubled and Raphael Vickers singled twice and had an RBI sacrifice fly in the first inning that scored Sean Pigden. In addition, Firefighters stole nine bases.

Vickers drew the starting assignment and threw three full innings before giving way to Miller. Vickers gave up two runs in the top of the first inning, three hits and struck out seven. Miller gave up the other three runs and two hits while striking out three in two innings of work.

Pigden made an over-the-shoulder catch on the run in deep centerfield to end a Red Sox rally in the first inning. Shortstop Jake Glazer and first baseman Travis Sampson combined on two outs in the fourth that halted another Red Sox rally.