Stafford is all the buzz

Buzz Stafford pitched a shutout and recorded a pair of big hits on offense Saturday to power the Robinwood Little League Dodgers to a 5-0 shutout of the Brewers in Majors division action.

Stafford limited the Brewers to just two hits, the same number he had, as he hit a home run and tripled. Other Dodgers with hits were J.J. Muratore and Colton Roberts. Quintan Halsey also was strong on the mound for the Brewers, giving up just four hits and two earned runs. K.J. Spiratos and Nick Draheim had hits for the Brewers.

Minor A Division

Pirates 16 Angels 14: On Saturday, the Pirates faced the Angels, who were half a game ahead of them for first place in the Minor A standings. The teams have both shared the first-place spot more than once this season.

The two-run victory allowed the Pirates to take over first place.

The Pirates scored quickly and often, getting 10 runs in the first two innings. Josh Pluth and Seth Hoetker each scored twice and Pluth ended up with three runs on the day. Hoetker started on the mound and gave up two runs in 2 1/3 innings. Cade Palma came on in relief and helped his effort by going three for four with two runs scored.

Ian Green had a pair of solo home runs and scored three times for the Pirates. Austin Lung scored twice and Colin Stanfield drove in two runs with a line drive that hit the top of the center-field fence in the top of the fifth.

Through 5 1/2 innings, the Pirates were ahead with a seemingly safe 16-6 lead. The Angels, however, came up with a huge rally in the bottom of the sixth by scoring eight runs to pull within, 16-14, behind some scrappy hitting, including Colin Fathauer, who returned to the game after suffering an injury to deliver a two-run, line-drive single.

Nolan Arotcharen and Chase Ishino scored three times each for the Angels.

Pirates 14, Red Sox 5: The Pirates used some great defensive play and solid hitting to defeat the Red Sox in the third meeting between the teams this season.

The defense came up with a big play in the first inning when Josh Pluth made an outstanding catch in center field, then threw to second base to double-up a runner. Pirates pitcher Seth Hoetker went three innings and gave up two runs. Cade Palma came in for three innings to finish and get the save.

Offensively for the Pirates, Connor O’Brien scored three times and Pluth, Colin Stanfield, Bryan Robinson and Lance Mashita all scored twice.

Blake Partis of the Red Sox went three for three with a home run into the Robinwood River and Ben Wynne went three for three on his birthday.

Ocean View Little League Minor A Division

Red Wings 1, Knights 0: Stellar pitching from both teams highlighted a seven-inning game Saturday

Red Wings pitchers Landen Hill, Andrew DeCarlo and Zachary St. Hilaire teamed up to shut out the Knights. Knights starter Grant Brehm didn’t allow a single run.

The Red Wings scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh when Landen Hill singled to score Kouji Oyama, who started the rally with a lead-off single.

Kyle Haynes doubled for the Red Wings.

Players honored: On Saturday, Ocean View hosted its annual Sportsmanship Awards ceremony. The awards were created to reward players who consistently demonstrate integrity, enthusiasm, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and support for their teammates. Managers, coaches and players elected one award winner per team and each was announced during the ceremony.

— Michael Decarlo, Community Correspondent

Soccer

So Cal Infinity Blue 3, Inland United 0: So Cal Infinity Blue girls’ Under-10 team posted a shutout remain unbeaten in the Coast Soccer League Spring Cup tournament Saturday.

Infinity’s defense, anchored by goalie Kelly Smith — who hasn’t given up a goal in cup play — was again stellar. The defensive line of Abi Bivens, Jalene Buschini, Abby Martinez and Daniela Moran held United to just a single shot on goal in the first half.

Infinity’s Camille McDonnell broke a scoreless match in the sixth minute of the second half after leaping over a United goalie to net the game’s first goal. She scored off an assist from Madison Kline. Four minutes later, Maricarmen Reyes found Kline on the right side of the United goal and Kline lobbed the ball over an outstretched United goalie and into the net to increase the lead to 2-0.

At the 16th minute of the second half, Ava Gomez picked up an assist when she fed Michael Guptill for the final goal.

So Cal Infinity 1, Santa Clarita Magic 0: The So Cal Infinity ’99 Blue girls’ Under-10 team matched up Saturday against the Santa Clarita Valley Soccer Club Magic in Coast Soccer League Spring Cup play and pulled out a one-goal victory.

In the sixth minute, Infinity’s Jalene Buschini sent a perfectly-placed pass to teammate Madison Kline and Kline found the net for a 1-0 lead. That lead stood at the break, despite Infinity holding a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal.

With the win, Infinity picked up eight points to take sole possession of first-place in Flight 1, Pool B.

— David Gomez Jr., Community Correspondent