Little League All-Stars Out of District Playoffs

In a game his team ultimately had to win to stay alive in the Little League District 25 All-Star Baseball Tournament, Malibu manager Jeff Frost was glad to have Kale Johnson on the hill.

The right-hander kept opposing batters at bay and gave Malibu a chance to win, but in the end it was Santa Monica East moving on with a 5-3 victory Wednesday evening in an elimination game of the 11- & 12-year-old division at Bill Botts Field in Culver City.

Johnson allowed four hits and struck out 10 batters in 4 2/3 innings before he left at the 83-pitch mark, moments after giving up a solo home run to Santa Monica East's Ryan Dominick. Malibu relief pitcher Cade MacMillan got the final out of the fifth.

"I'm very proud of the kids," Frost said. "Compared to most of the others our league is very small and pitchers can't throw curve balls in our league, so we're at a bit of a disadvantage."

Malibu struck first with one out in the top of the second inning when right fielder Chase Murell hit a solo home run to left field. Catcher Declin Sheridan reached base on an error and ended up on second. MacMillan singled to score Sheridan and Malibu led 2-0.

Santa Monica East tied the game in the bottom of the second and for the next two innings it was a pitchers' duel between Johnson and Santa Monica East's Thomas Solberg, who also went 4 2/3 innings, allowing five hits with six strikeouts.

"I thought both pitchers were terrific," said Frost, who was assisted by coaches Len Simonian, Steve Ciniglio and Simeon Sturges. "Both of our playoff games were similar in that they were very close and we just came up a little short."   

Santa Monica East scored twice in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead but Malibu pulled back to within a run in the next frame when Will Kish singled and eventually scored on a passed ball, sliding into home plate ahead of the tag.

Dominick led off the bottom of the fifth by sending Johnson's off-speed pitch over the left-center field fence to give Santa Monica East a 5-3 lead.

Rounding out the Malibu squad (consisting entirely of 12-year-olds) are third baseman Ty Frost, first baseman Dylan Ross, second baseman Trevor Simonian, shortstop Miles Murray, center fielder Michael Carner and reserves Ryder Sturges and Rocky Morris.

In the 9 & 10 division, Malibu lost its first game to Santa Monica West and lost its second game to Santa Monica East.

In the 10 & 11 division, Malibu blanked Wrigley 6-0 in its first game and plays Santa Monica East on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Ladera Heights.

In the District 25 All-Star Softball Tournament, Malibu lost its first game in the 9 & 10 division to Culver City and plays in an elimination game Friday at 6:15 p.m. against the North Venice-Beverly Hills winner.