Ponsford delivers Mets title

COSTA MESA — Calm is a good way to describe pitcher Kohler Ponsford’s demeanor.

As for the rest of his Mets teammates, that’s another story.

They were running wild on one of the baseball fields at TeWinkle Intermediate School. It was time to celebrate a Costa Mesa National Little League Minor A championship.

Ponsford expected to win it and he delivered a dominating performance against the Phillies, the Mets’ toughest opponent all year.

The right-hander punched them away, striking out 11 batters and allowing three hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Mets won, 4-0, Monday.

Ponsford would’ve gone the distance for the Mets (12-3) in the game featuring 9-, 10- and 11-year-olds if it weren’t for exceeding the league’s pitch count by one.

In all, he threw 86 pitches, 54 for strikes. Mets Coach Steve Ehrhorn, all stoked, called Ponsford the “man.” Ponsford had just won the coach his third straight championship.

“He pretty much laid it down,” said Ehrhorn against the only team to have beaten the Mets twice this season. “Did what he was out there to do, man!”

Ponsford took the praise and just looked at Ehrhorn.

“I’m very happy that we won,” said Ponsford with a straight face, “because I knew that we were going to win the championship.”

Through four innings it seemed like the Phillies couldn’t muster much of a threat before both teams qualified for the Tournament of Champions.

No Phillies runner had reached third base on Ponsford, but that changed in the bottom of the fifth.

Cole Norris led off with a double over the right fielder’s head. Norris advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then Sean Fisher drew a walk. Fisher stole second and just like that the Phillies put runners in scoring position.

But the cool Ponsford battled. He struck out the next two batters, getting himself out of the jam and ending the Phillies best opportunity to get back into the game.

“I have been in that situation [before] and I knew that they wouldn’t score because I’ve got them out before,” Ponsford said. “I just pitched my hardest.”

So did Phillies starter Nani Plews. The right-hander kept the Mets at bay. He fanned eight in his five-inning stint, and said he was a little disappointed after winning the Minor B title last year and coming up short in the Minor A championship.

Ehrhorn said Plews should keep his head up.

“He’s just a great pitcher,” said Ehrhorn.

With Ponsford’s performance, Coach Will Norris knew his Phillies were in trouble.

“He’s been one of the better pitchers all season, and [Monday] he really had his stuff working,” Norris said. “As much as we thought we can get hits and get some production, he was as good as it gets.”

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].