La Verne All-Stars Back in the Hunt After Defeating San Dimas, 10-3

June 29, 2012
Share this story:
Johnny Martinez paced La Verne's offensive attack with two home runs and five RBIs.

Johnny Martinez paced La Verne's offensive attack with two home runs and five RBIs.

Summer vacation for the La Verne 11-12 All-Stars has been delayed indefinitely as La Verne defeated San Dimas, 10-3, on the strength of four home runs, solid defense and quality pitching at Marchant Park on Thursday night in San Dimas.

La Verne staged a two-out rally in the top of the first. After Joe De Fina singled sharply up the middle and Matthew Kurnik walked, Johnny Martinez belted the first pitch he saw over the left-centerfield fence for a three-run homer.

San Dimas responded with a run in the bottom of the first off La Verne pitcher Luke Russell to make the score 3-1.

In the second, La Verne launched some early 4th of July fireworks, again after two outs. After pinch hitter Randy Fertig singled, Ryan Stonehouse homered to right field to give La Verne a 5-1 lead. De Fina then crushed a solo shot to make the score 6-1. After Kurnik singled, Martinez blasted his second home of the game to put La Verne up 8-1.

La Verne hardly resembled the squad that had lost 12-2 to Glendora National just 24 hours earlier. “They came out today and showed they’re a great hitting team,” said manager Paul Stonehouse. “I think our opening loss was a case of first-game jitters.”

La Verne tacked on single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, both runs coming on RBI singles by Kurnik, who finished the game going 3-for-3 with a walk. Tanner Siffert, De Fina and Martinez each had two hits in the game.

After hitting homers in his first two plate appearances, Martinez was looking for more.

“I was trying for that third home run,” he said moments after the game.

The third homer didn’t come, but it could tonight against Glendora American. Should La Verne win tonight, it would gain a rematch against Glendora National on Saturday.

“I like our chances,” Martinez said. “Our confidence is up, and we think we can beat them.”

So, for the time being, all vacation plans are off. Until then, La Verne moms (and dads) have uniforms to wash.

Winning pitcher Luke Russell also tried to help out with his bat.

 

 

 

Winning pitcher Luke Russell also tried to help out with his bat.

For great red, white and blue 4th of July mattress specials, check out Cost + Mattress in La Verne this weekend. Give Paul a call, (909) 392-5554!

Leave a Reply