Dodgers prevail, reach title game

The Costa Mesa National Little League Dodgers held off the Seaview

Yankees, 4-3, Monday in the semifinals of the District 62 Minor A

Tournament of Champions at Wardlow Park in Huntington Beach.

The Dodgers will meet Fountain Valley in the championship game,

scheduled Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Wardlow Park. Fountain Valley

defeated Seaview Monday.

The Dodgers never trailed Monday, scoring twice in the top of the

third and again in the fourth. Shortstop Levi Stillman hit a two-out,

bases-loaded single that scored Dirk Holland and Nathan Frank.

Second baseman Dave Cornelius led off the fourth with a single up

the middle. Third baseman Brian Jolivette moved Cornelius to second

on his single up the middle, then first baseman Charles Nelson

knocked both runners in with a double to the left-center-field gap.

The Yankees opened the fourth with a fly to center. Armando

Trujillo made a diving try, but it was ruled the ball hit the ground

first.

The Yankees scored three times in the inning, including a close

play at the plate.

Left fielder Ryan West scooped and threw a dart to catcher Jeff

Carlyle that beat the Yankee runner trying to score. But, it was

ruled, the runner slid past the tag.

Cody Stoddard struck out seven and allowed one hit in three mound

innings for the Dodgers, while Stillman struck out six in the final

three innings.

Brad Wilson also chipped in for the winners.