Newport Beach Sluggers win Newport Cup

The Newport Beach Sluggers, a 10-and-under travel baseball team, won the second annual Newport Cup Saturday, defeating the OCBA Colts, 20-19, in a game that ended with a thrilling walk-off hit by Jack Pluma.

To advance to the championship game, the Sluggers defeated the Huntington Beach Devil Rays, 14-13, while the Colts defeated the Newport Beach Devil Rays.

Hitting was the name of the game right out of the gate as both teams went back and forth.

Carter Healy and Jack Salmon both went two for two with two walks and two runs batted in apiece.

Charlie Mannon had a multiple-hit game that included a deep shot to right center.

John Tipton, Colton Quick and Ben Holton also notched key hits during the game with solid defense being put in by the middle infielders Calder Overfelt and Jack Bolt.

The winning pitcher was Van Sidebotham and the MVP of the game was Pluma, the catcher who had three hits, including the walk-off game-winner in the bottom of the sixth.

With two outs and a runner at third, Pluma sat back on a curve and flared it into right to knock in the winning run.

This marks the third tournament victory of the year for the Newport Beach Sluggers who will finish their 2013 season in Palm Desert in the Triple Crown 13th annual Thanksgiving Qualifier.

— Reader submission