Dodgers roll to Minor A title

Natalie Venegas

The Costa Mesa National Little League Dodgers defeated the Fountain

Valley Cubs, 9-1, Wednesday at Wardlow Park to claim the Minor A

District 62 Tournament of Champions title. It is is believed to be

the first championship for a Costa Mesa Minor A team in the

tournament. Euphoria was in the air and the smiles were contagious.

After battling earlier in the season, the Dodgers made pitching

adjustments and won their last nine games, outscoring their last four

opponents, 45-9.

“It feels unbelievable, “ said starting pitcher Cody Stoddard. “I

didn’t think we had a chance, especially after losing to the Giants

and Mets earlier in the season, but today we started to relax, and as

soon as we don’t feel challenged, we play better.”

The Dodgers started out behind by one in the first inning after an

error allowed Joey Loranger to score the Cubs first and only run.

In the fourth inning, pitcher Levi Stillman hit an RBI single to

bring in left fielder Armando Trujillo and tie the score.

In the fourth, Stillman was brought in to relieve Stoddard, who

gave up only one run in three innings, and struck out two.

“We call them fire and ice,” Costa Mesa Manager Rob Stillman said

of the pitchers, Stoddard and Levi Stillman, who combined on a

one-hitter. “They make it tough to adjust.”

Stillman finished the game without giving up a run and struck out

six batters.

On a full count in the fifth inning, the Dodgers’ Brad Wilson

slammed the ball over the 180-feet marker in right-center field for a

two-run home run, giving them a 3-1 lead.

In the sixth inning, the months of hitting practice paid off for

the Dodgers.

Dave Cornelius and Trujillo walked before Ryan Vest hit a two-RBI

triple, giving the Dodgers a four-run lead.

Stillman gave his team a five-run advantage after an sharp RBI

single up the middle , and Charlie Nelson, in his final little league

at-bat, brought in Stillman with a double.

Dirk Holland and Nathan Frank combined for two RBIs.

Wilson finished 2 for 2 -- his second hit caromed off the outfield

fence -- while Dirk Holland was 1 for 1. Brian Jolivett went 2 for 3

while both Vest and Trujillo were 1 for 2.