Culver City Little League’s Major All- Star Team’s run to Williamsport continued last evening with a decisive 11-5 victory over host Malibu Little League.
Culver City advances to the District 25 winner’s bracket championship game, next Friday at Bad News Bears Field against the winner of tonight’s Ladera/West Los Angeles game.
The Culver City bats were alive as batters reached base safely 21 times in the six-inning game, highlighted by 15 hits.
Starting pitcher Oliver Frye homered for the second time in the series, and pinch- hitter Martin Lucero sent a Malibu fastball far over the center field fence for a two-run homer.
Culver City scored a solo run in the first when Jesse Tanahara singled to left, knocking in Stephan Thomas for a 1-0 lead. Malibu answered with two in the bottom of the first on a two-run home run by Justin LaPinski. Malibu’s 2-1 lead marked the first time Culver City had trailed in the all-star tournament.
Culver City tied the game in the bottom of the second, as Thomas doubled to left, to drive in Lucero. Starting pitcher Frye found his groove in the second, retiring Malibu without allowing a baserunner.
Frye showed his muscle at the plate in the top of the third, homering to right, scoring Andy Perez. This gave Culver City a 4-2 lead. Malibu scored once in the bottom of the third. Culver City and Malibu each scored in the fourth inning, with Culver City clinging to a 5-4 lead going into the fifth.
Culver City caught fire in the top of the fifth, scoring six times to put the game out of reach. Devin Hayden led off with a double down the right field line. Pinch- hitter Lucero deposited the first pitch he saw over the center field fence. Jayden Mapile walked, followed by a Tommy Peacock single. Thomas singled to left, scoring Mapile and Peacock. Perez singled and Tanahara singled to right scoring two, giving the visiting Culver City team an insurmountable 11-4 lead. Malibu scored a lone run in the sixth making the final score 11-5.
Frye pitched well in a starting role.
Perez came in to get the final seven outs.
After the game, a gleeful Lucero explained. “The game started out a little bit rough,” he said. “We had some early jitters. We began to put things together in the third inning, and things just kept going. Oliver (Frye) threw really well, and Andy (Perez) shut the door on them. Our defense was spectacular, too.”
Right fielder Mapile praise Culer City’s opponent while also looking ahead.
“Malibu was a solid team,” Mapile said.
“They made some great plays. I am happy we got by them, and I can’t wait to play in the championship game.”
Mr. Zeidman may be contacted at scott.zeidman@laslots.com
