Robinwood impresses in opener

The Robinwood Cardinals combined excellent pitching with outstanding

defensive play Monday night to defeat the Westminster Angels, 5-2, in a

District 62 Little League Tournament of Champions Majors Division first

round game.

Ryan Mlutz and Ryan Donohue combined pitching efforts to lead the

Cardinals, the No. 2 team out of Robinwood, past the Angels, who won

Westminster’s Majors Division title.

Westminster grabbed an early 2-0 lead in its first at-bat in the Area

1 game played at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley. Robinwood took the

lead for good with a three-run third inning, then added two more runs in

the fifth to take command.

“It was just a great game, top to bottom, by our team,” Robinwood

Manager Frank Jean said. “The kids did a really nice job.”

In addition to his pitching stint, Donohue made a couple of key outs

at first base by handling two line drives sent his way, and also teamed

with Kyle Jean on a double play.

Tyler Eck also came up with a game-saving catch in deep left field.

Devin Dowdy’s bat and base running sparked several Robinwood rallies.

The victory in the single elimination tournament sends Robinwood into

an Area 1 semifinal game on Saturday against the winner of the Costa Mesa

National No. 1 -- Costa Mesa American No. 2 matchup.

The Area 1 semifinal will be played at 9 a.m. at Mile Square Park. The

second semifinal will follow at noon.

In other games:

Robinwood No. 1 3

Costa Mesa National No. 2 2

Robinwood No. 1 was able to oust Costa Mesa National’s No. 2 playoff

entry in Area 2 play at Costa Mesa American Little League.

Robinwood No. 1 advances to Saturday’s area semifinals and will meet

either Costa Mesa American No. 1 or Westminster No. 2 in a 9 a.m. game.

Other scores:

Westminster No. 2 3, CM American No. 1 0

CM National No. 1 16, CM American No. 2 1

Tuesday’s Minor A scores:

Seaview No. 1 6, Westminster #2 5

In Senior Minor Division play:

Westminster No. 1 24, Robinwood No. 2 9

Huntington Valley No. 1 10, Fountain Valley No. 2 9