Juniors fall by one run

In a game where bats were alive on both sides, Rancho Niguel came up with the game's final rally and came back to score a 10-9 victory over the Laguna Beach Firefighters in Junior League All-Star action Sunday at Chapparosa Park in Laguna Niguel.

The Firefighters will try to stay alive in the tournament at 5 p.m. today when they face South Irvine. South Irvine fell, 11-9, to Central Irvine in an opening-round game played Saturday.

"My boys played a great game," Firefighters Coach Ralph Davis said. "We were down a couple of runs but battled back, like Firefighters will do. I was proud of their effort. We just let it get away from us at the end."

Rancho Niguel rallied in the bottom of the seven to win the game. Laguna trailed early but run up a 9-4 lead, Davis said. Starting pitcher Casey Miller reached his pitch limit — he threw 94 — before giving way to Taylor Preston.

"Casey did a great job for us before he had to leave the game," Davis said.

Laguna's offense was paced by the multiple hits by Santi Pierini, Alex Iannotti and Austin Dodge.

Junior All-Stars: Alex Bekken; Alex Davis; Austin Dodge; Ben Hanson; Alex Iannotti; Keaton Jones, Casey Miller, Matt Neev, Norty Penny, Sawyer Pierce, Tyler Pierce, Santi Pierini, Taylor Preston.