Astros On Target

Bear River Astros pitcher Chance "Bear" Belding shouldered much of the pitching load in Friday's decesive 11-0 win over the Bear River Diamondbacks in the District 11 Area II Tournament of Champions title game. The Astros will play the Tri-City Cardinals today at 7 p.m. at Beggs Field in Auburn to begin the District 11 best-of-three championship TOC series. obfoto.com

June 27, 2009

Astros Roll Past D-Backs; Face Tri-City Cards

Parading thirteen batters to the plate in a big eight-run third inning, the Bear River Astros left little doubt on who was the best majors division team in the Area II region of District 11 this season.

Flexing their offensive muscle, the Astros banged out seven base hits in the big third inning uprising and went on to defeat the Bear River Diamondbacks, 11-0, Friday to claim the Area II Tournament of Champions crown.

The Astros, 22-1 on the season, will now try and take the next step in TOC play as they open a best of three series tonight at Beggs Field in Auburn against the Tri-City Cardinals from Rocklin.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. against the Cardinals who captured the Area I title Friday by defeating the Lincoln Braves, 10-2.

Game two for the series will be played at Bear River on Sunday also at 7 p.m. while a Game Three – If Necessary – is slated for Auburn on Monday at 7 p.m.

Leading 2-0 in the third, the Astros started off their big inning quietly when Ryan Farrell drew a walk. However, back-to-back doubles by Tyler Toft and Brett Soloman was followed by another RBI single by Kyle Soria and the rout was on.

Soria and Robbie Hildebrand both went 3x4 in the contest with Hildebrand adding a double. Soloman, meanwhile, was 2x4 which included a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Soloman, Bear Belding and Toft teamed on the mound to keep the Diamondacks in check as they allowed just two hits and fanned six batters.