Senior All-Stars Crush San Pedro To Advance

Ryan Erickson had three hits including a leadoff home run and Bret Collins had three hits including a bases-clearing triple in the fifth inning, as the Manhattan Beach Little League Senior All-Stars beat up San Pedro East View 11-1 on Tuesday to win the Sectional Tournament.

The Manhattan Beach All-Stars, including three players from the Mira Costa High varsity in Collins, Anthony Lombardo and Ian McLoughlin, led only 3-1 going into the fifth inning. But they put together an eight-run inning, which started with a double by shortstop Austin Henning.

Collins then doubled, driving in a run, and advanced to third on a balk. Lombardo walked, and McLoughin drove in a second run in the inning with a sacrifice fly. Conrad Turner then reached base safely with a well-placed bunt single and one out later, Jack Hadley walked to load the bases.

Ryan Franklin followed with a two-run single, Erickson with a run-scoring single and after a walk to Henning, Collins' triple put Manhattan Beach up by 10 runs, putting an end to the game.

To that point, Manhattan Beach right-hander Carter Casady had pretty well flummoxed the San Pedro East View All-Stars. They had six base runners in the first two innings, but could score only one run.

Casady got out of both innings the same way - with ground balls to third base, which were turned into double plays by Conrad Turner.

Manhattan Beach advances to the North Divisional Tournament, which opens on Saturday at Caruthers Park in Bellflower.