Costa Mesa National Little League: Marlins Pierce the Cardinals,

1-0

Anthony Seacrest banged out a single to bring in the winning run,

Michael Pierce, in the top of the sixth, leading the Costa Mesa National

Little League Marlins to a 1-0 Major Division victory over the Cardinals.

Seacrest also pitched for the Marlins, allowing just two hits and

producing four scoreless innings, while Cardinals’ pitcher Garrick

Williams struck out six in four shutout innings.

The Cardinals’ Aaron Gross made a highlight-reel type catch in center

field to end the Marlins’ third inning. Wes Barloon singled in the third,

but was left stranded for the Cardinals. In the fourth, Williams also

singled, but also failed to score, while Eddie Tomasek did the same in

the final inning.

Ryan Knapp also contributed pitching for the Cardinals.

In other CMNLL Majors Division games:

Diamondbacks 4, Astros 3 (extra innings) - The D-Backs’ Riley Hart

scored the winning run after a hard-hit double by Brandon Maurer in the

eighth inning.

Maurer also had an outstanding game on the mound, pitching six no-hit

innings while striking out 10.

The Astros held the Diamondbacks scoreless for the first three

innings. But the D-Backs kept coming, and, in the fourth, Hart chipped a

single and later scored after a base hit by Maurer, who also scored on a

wild pitch.

Ryan Redding tied the game, 4-4, after some solid base running and

another single by Riley, sending it into extra innings.

Joseph Dzida provided strong defense at first base, while Sean Ulrich

produced a key catch in left field. Max Friedmann and Redding added a

single each.

Dodgers 5, Tigers 2 - Justin Long pitched a complete game, striking

out nine while allowing only two hits for the victorious Dodgers. Long

also blasted a home run and a double when up to bat. The Dodgers’ Bryan

Bennett added a home run (his second of the year) and an RBI single. Cody

Green finished with a single, as did Brandon Grimmett, who capped the

Dodgers scoring with an RBI single.

Bennett also starred defensively as a catcher, throwing out a runner

attempting to steal. Juan Gonzalez, who made a superb diving catch in the

fourth, and second baseman Cory Ames added solid efforts in the win.

In CMNLL Minor A Division action:

Cardinals 5, Marlins 4 (extra innings) - The Cardinals pulled off

another late-game rally to beat the Marlins. Ryan Cherney provided the

winning efforts for the Cardinals with a two-run triple in the bottom of

the seventh.

Throughout the game, the Cardinals’ hitters struggled against

exceptional pitching by the Marlins’ Daniel Carter, who mixed off-speed

pitches with an overpowering fastball.

But, the Cardinals answered with their own commanding pitching corps.

of Sean Anderson, Mark DeFrenza and Brian Maurer. The Cardinals also had

strong defense from Kendra Fisher, Jordan Young, Angel Beas, Tim

Frydendal and Kylie Wilson, who kept the game within reach.

Andrew (A.J.) Roth and Michael Markovsky scored two runs each, and

Maurer scored one to keep the Cardinals alive.

In CMNLL Farm Division action:

The Rockies and Marlins squared off on Saturday. The Marlins came out

swinging and put together a rally in the first inning. For the Rockies,

Matthew Spicer made a standout play at third base for an out in the

second inning. He also had two hits and scored a run. Alex “Big Al”

Mazure also had two hits and a run scored for the Rockies, while teammate

Noah Jeyarajah finished with two hits and an RBI.

Nathan Frank’s big day for the Rockies included a double, two singles,

an RBI and a run scored. Adam Ward added three hits, two RBIs and a run

scored. Hannah Jeyarajah collected a hit at every at-bat for the Rockies,

while Aaron Wood had two singles and two runs scored.

Jesse Paz and Maliah Murtha combined for several key outs at first

base against the Marlins. Paz also connected for two base hits and two

RBIs, while Murtha delivered two singles, one RBI and a run scored. Erik

Rasmussen produced a clutch hit in the second inning for the Rockies,

while sharing outfield duties with Andrea Hardwick, who provided

motivation when helping lead chants in the dugout.

Robert Murtha turned in a hard-working effort, rotating through the

positions of second base, third and shortstop for the Rockies.

In CMNLL T-ball Major Division action: The Cardinals and Astros met up

for a baseball game. Jason Rodriguez pounded a grand slam, while Garret

Henscheid and Gunner Johnston served up doubles for the Cardinals.

Zack Shafer, Steven Snell, Kohl Ponsford, Connor Pierce and Harrison

Stern produced noteworthy defensive plays. Pierce had three base hits.