Gorman to play for series berth

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A win and they're in.

After a 3-1 victory over Ontario (Calif.) in Sunday's American Legion Region 8 semifinals, that was Bishop Gorman's battle cry heading into today's final.

A win over Taylorsville (Utah) at noon PST would have put the Gaels into the Aug. 21-25 World Series at Cashman Field.

"Our kids are pretty pumped up," Gorman coach Tim Chambers said. "They know they're one win away from the Series."

The Gaels (47-13) had to get that win against a Taylorsville team that has beaten them twice this summer, 4-3 in a tournament in Ogden (Utah) in July and 9-7 in regional play on Saturday.

"In my mind, it's real tough to beat a good team three times, and I consiser us a pretty good team," Chambers said.

Right-hander Paul Wurts, Gorman's closer for most of the postseason, was slated to start today's championship game, with lefty Ben Fox and right-hander Nate Fouts ready to go if necessary.

The Gaels generated only four hits in Saturday's contest, but slipped past thanks to a superb pitching performance by Jason Van Meetren.

For the first time this summer, the right-hander tossed a nine-inning complete-game, surrendering just six hits and two walks and striking out 11 Ontario batters.

"They were good hitters, but he was really bringing it," Chambers said. "He was huge for us."

After Ontario took a 1-0 lead on an RBI double by Tolo Sanchez in the top of the sixth, the Gaels answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning.

First baseman Ryan Lee's double scored teammates Nick Didier and Van Meetren to give the Nevada representatives the lead for good.

Junior-to-be Brandon Boesch gave Gorman a little insurance in the seventh, sending Nino Mantico home with a sacrifice fly.

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