Major Dodgers edge Padres in season opener

Benny Seliner, Mike Markovsky and A.J. Roth each pitched two strong

innings to lead the Costa Mesa National Little League Major Dodgers

to a 3-2 victory over the Padres to open the season March 6 at

TeWinkle School.

The Dodgers’ offense, led by Josh Dominguez, Roth, Johnny Valdez

and

Robert Fernandez, put pressure on the Padres, moving runners into

scoring

position often.

The Padres got strong pitching performances from Ryan Cherney,

Ryan

Burns and Eusebio Castillo. Burns, Colin Kincaid and Gian-Paul

Stebbins each singled to spark the offense. Cherney had a single

and a double. Marc DeFrenza made a strong catch in center field.

In Minor A games:

* Giants 12, Costa Mesa American Mariners, 0:

Alex Kronfeldt, Matt Carlyle and Kannon Stone all contributed to

the shutout on the mound.

Kronfeldt struck out four in her two innings while Carlyle fanned

six in two innings. Stone struck out the side in his one inning.

Tre Le Elle hit the top of the center-field fence, missing a home

run by inches, and Kronfeldt went 3 for 3 with a double.

* Cubs 5, Dodgers 5:

Cubs’ starter Chris Molina pitched three solid innings with six

strikeouts, including the side in the second.

Eddie Bisoso pitched the next four innings, shutting the Dodgers

down with a 1-2-3 seventh to end the game.

Bisoso also made a stellar play in the third by catching a line

drive at shortstop and throwing to Derek Andrews at first for the

double play to end the inning.

Cole Mensinger and Nick Schirmer each had two hits, with Schirmer

scoring the Cubs’ first two runs. Schirmer caught all seven innings,

making a key play at home by tagging the plate with the bases loaded

after a squib hit barely rolled fair.

In Minor B play:

* Giants 11, Costa Mesa American Red Sox 6 :

Frank DiPietro, Aaron Wood and Jesse Paz all pitched well for the

Giants. Paz slammed two home runs while DiPietro homered and tripled.

Timely steals by Ray Barkis, Tyler Tashiro and Michael Birnbaum

set up rallies in the later innings.

Kyle Barnett’s sparkling plays at third base set up many putouts.

Catcher Matt Jarmacz was solid behind the plate.

Chase Whittaker and Sam Miller had big hits and Al Mazur walked to

begin the game-clinching rally. Wood followed with a double.

* Dodgers 13, Cubs 9:

The Dodgers rallied with nine runs in the sixth inning, taking

advantage of seven walks, a hit batter and two singles. Seven of 10

Dodgers had hits and nine of 10 players scored at least once.

Ben Beck struck out four in two innings and Jeff Carlyle fanned

eight in four innings. Nathan Pearson made a nice catch of a popup at

first base.

Adam Ward had three hits to lead the Cubs.

In Farm Division play:

* The Farm Padres opened the season with a true team effort

against the

Marlins, getting both offensive and defensive support from

everyone. The offense was led by the power of Kohler Ponsford, who

was 5 for 5 with five runs and two RBIs.

The supporting offensive cast included Garrett Deutsch (5-5, three

doubles, three RBIs), Mitchell Clevidence (5 for 5, three runs), John

Santoyo (4 for 5, three runs), William Reed (4 for 5, four RBIs) and

Tyler Owens (4 for 5, four runs).

The defense was lead by some strong plays by Dante Capoccia,

Christian Darrow, Harrison Stern, Ryan Bonker and Bill Crosson. The

defense made several outs at first and second bases, including three

by Stern.

* The Cardinals opened strong against the Dodgers.

Leadoff hitter Kyle Craft finished with three hits and threw out

three runners at first.

Frankie Millan and Jordan Escarcega both went 2 for 4 while Nate

Adkins, Peter Rossi, Michael Peters and Mat Rawson each reached with

hits.

Jet Rutter and Daniel Tierney played great defense in the outfield

and showed arm strength getting the ball back to the pitcher. The

catching trio of Johnny Juarez, Cole Rowerdink and Michael Peters

protected the plate while pitchers Larissa Peters and Adkins made

several plays to first.

In T-Ball Major play:

* The Diamondbacks opened against the Cubs and came through with

clutch hits.

Jacob Latta hit his first grand slam while Joey and John

Farina-Morales each had base hits and Matthew Moore drove them home.

In T-Ball Minor play:

* The Marlins played their first game of the season against the

Diamondbacks.

Sean Mchugh was named the offensive superstar and Conner Gray the

defensive superstar for the Marlins.

Spencer Stern added a strong defensive play while Drake Siegel

showed great hustle.

* The Rockies hosted the Dodgers and the teams entertained friends

and family with plenty of offense.

Each Dodger had at least one hit in the two innings and George

Miller doubled.

Cameron Smith sparked the Dodgers’ defense with a clutch putout at

third and earned the first game ball of the season. Dodger Genna

Sedano tagged a runner who ventured off second base while teammate

Liam Wallington tagged out two Rockies at home. Gwen Spady added

support.