NBLL Majors: Cardinals advance to finals

NEWPORT BEACH - After dropping a 14-5 decision to the Diamondbacks,

the Cardinals managed to regroup and advance to the Newport Beach Little

League Major Division championship with a 4-1 win over the D’Backs.

Sam Stafford pitched a complete-game gem with seven strikeouts and no

walks.

Stafford, William O’Brien, Ryan Telles, Tyler Brady and Greg Wolonsky

all came through on the offensive end with key hits, while Collin Wigely

led the way with two RBIs.

On the defensive end, Telles, Brady, Travis Sorensen and Sean Berkley

each came through with fine plays.

With the win, the Cards face the Yankees in tonight’s Majors Division

championship game.

In other NBLL Major Division action:

Yankees 2, Red Sox 0 - Vinnie St. John pitched a complete-game shutout

to lead the Yankees. Red Sox pitcher J.R. Dion also pitched a

complete-game gem, but took the hardluck loss.

Diamondbacks 14, Cardinals 5 - The sweet swing of Grant Heffernan was

all the Diamondbacks needed in their win over the Cardinals in

winners-bracket playoff action, forcing another battle between the two

teams.

Heffernan went 4 for 4, including a three-run home run and seven RBIs

to pace the D’Backs’ attack. Not to be outdone, Greg Garte also went 4

for 4 with four RBIs, while Garrett Amoroso, Chris Rosen and Scott Colton

chipped in three hits each.

In addition, Connor Whalen added a two-run triple and Wyatt Cole came

through with two key hits for the Diamondbacks, while Rosen and Ford Noe

added solid defense. Colton, Garte and Fletcher Della Grotta each added

significant contributions on the mound.

For the Cardinals, Sam Stafford had two hits, while William O’Brien,

Colin Wigely, James Petrilli and Johnny Yesh each added single hits,

while Ryan Telles sparked the defense.