CMNLL Minor A: Cardinals take championship game

COSTA MESA - The Cardinals used some late-inning heroics from the

bottom of their batting order to pull out a 3-2 win over the Marlins in

the Costa Mesa National Little League championship game Thursday night.

With Joseph Dzida on first base and the game tied, 2-2, Cardinals’ No.

12 hitter, Pat McGuire laid down a solid bunt along the third-base line.

The perfect bunt caused an overthrow, which allowed Dzida to come all the

way around and score the winning run for the Cardinals.

Taylor West and Ben Lefebvre each had RBI hits to give the Cards a 2-0

advantage but the Marlins fought back.

Juan Moreno and Blake Rowerdink each had RBI his to tie the game.

Johnny Persan and Chris Quinlan each scored the Marlins’ runs.

Ryan Knapp pitched six strong innings for the Cards with six

strikeouts. For the Marlins, Michael Gillmore and John Persan combined

for five strikeouts over six innings.

Other Cardinal contributions came from Gerardo Chavez, Danny O’Neil,

Weston Barloon and Mike Morley.