Woodbridge honors 12-year-old Irvine baseball player who died and then tops Uni, 9-5, in PCL game

Woodbridge’s baseball team Thursday night honored the family of a popular and courageous Irvine Pony baseball player, Joshua Wong, who died after an illness last September at the age of 12.

The ceremony happened  before the Pacific Coast League game at Ryan Lemmon Stadium. Woodbridge defeated University, 9-5.

The evening ended with the father of Joshua Wong, Jimmy, thanking the Warriors for their support. The family then prayed with the Warriors on the field. Murray, Woodbridge athletic director Rick Gibson and Dick Owens, representing the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, also attended.

“Mr. Wong is an unbelievable man,” said Woodbridge outfielder Jackson Lyon. “I’m just so glad we can be a help to his family during this time of need and we will never forget Josh, no matter what.”

Joshua’s parents, Jimmy and Queenie, threw out the first pitches Thursday night. Before that, Lyon brought them and their daughters, Claire, 15; Emma, 12 and Olivia, 3; into the Warrior locker-room where a picture of Joshua Wong hangs above the entrance and which Woodbridge players view as they head onto the field.

Lyon, who first found out about Joshua Wong’s story on Facebook, said the Woodbridge team has dedicated the season to Joshua Wong. Lyon, and other Woodbridge teammates went to Wong’s funeral and have continued to stay in touch with the family. Lyon said he never met Wong but was inspired after hearing more about him.

(More later on Joshua Wong, the ceremony and the family’s reaction).

In the game, Woodbridge kept pace with Beckman for second place in the Pacific Coast League. Beckman plays today, Friday, April 21, hosting Northwood at 3:30 p.m.

“I thought Uni really battled,” said Woodbridge Coach Tim Murray. “They never gave up and they ended up squeaking out some runs. It shows a lot about what that program is made of now with Kevin McCaffrey (the head coach).”

Spencer Weston led the offense, going 3 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Lyon was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and Dylan Smith was 3 for 4 with four RBI.

“Beckman is one of the teams we’re fighting with; Northwood is another,” Murray said. “And we would like to try and challenge for a league championship. It would be nice to be able to stay in the race. We’re going to go and play Corona del Mar next week and try and take our shot.”

Woodbridge hosts CdM on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Ryan Lemmon Stadium.

Woodbridge scored three runs in the first inning to take charge.

Weston had an RBI single, driving in Towns King, who celebrated his 18th birthday with a one-out double. Smith then drove home Kyle Giberson and Weston to put the Warriors ahead, 3-0.

In the second inning, Lyon walked, King was hit by a pitch and Giberson singled to drive in a run.

Woodbridge added another run in the third inning. Chase Bradley doubled and scored on a triple by Smith.

University scored three runs in the fourth inning, one coming on a single by Jackson LoBianco. Two more runs scored when Ben Hansen reached on an error, cutting the lead to 5-3.

But Woodbridge scored four more runs in the sixth inning. Weston drove home two on a double, Bradley had a sacrifice fly and Smith drove in a run with a triple.

University scored two runs in the seventh. Jake Rome had an RBI double and another run scored on an error.

“We brought five JV guys up and I thought Eddie (Dunn) and Ryan (Miller) did awesome on the mound,” said University Coach Kevin McCaffrey.

The two pitchers relieved starter David Schlomovits, who pitched the first two innings.

McCaffrey was glad to see Rome deliver at the plate.

“It was good to see him get a quality base hit and good to see our guys compete like that, especially when we’re so short-handed,” McCaffrey said.

University’s baseball team was missing several starters who were out with the flu.

Scott Armstrong (6-2) pitched a complete game to get the victory. He allowed two earned runs, allowed six hits and struck out four.