Big day for Ocean View Little League

First-inning fireworks determined the outcome of the Major division championship game of the 2013 Little League District 62 Tournament of Champions.

The Marlins and Tigers, both from Ocean View Little League, did all of their respective scoring in the opening frame. The Marlins overcame a 2-0 deficit to pull ahead and hold on for a 3-2 victory Saturday to claim the district banner at Murdy Park.

The Major final was one of three division finals played Saturday at OVLL’s home field. Teams from Westminster Little League, the Royals and Dodgers, also won district titles.

The Westminster Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to upend the Ocean View IronPigs, 8-7, in the Minor A final. The Westminster Dodgers took the Minor B division by defeating the Seaview Angels, 6-2.

In the Junior division final played Saturday at Huntington Beach High, Huntington Valley took the title by virtue of a 10-0 win over Ocean View.

Huntington Valley also won the Intermediate division title on June 10 with an 11-1 win against host Westminster.

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Major Division

Ocean View Marlins 3, Ocean View Tigers 2

Trailing by two runs after the top of the first inning didn’t stop the Marlins who came up with a big first at-bat of their own, and made it stand, in defeating the Tigers.

The Tigers couldn’t have asked for a better start to Saturday’s final. Cole Minato opened with a single to center field and he was brought home when Ken Takada followed with a towering home run that traveled well beyond the fence in center field.

The Marlins responded when Colton Meyer started the bottom of the second with a lead-off double. Andrew DeCarlo was walked and Meyer went on to score from second when Jason St. Pierre dropped a single into shallow center field.

DeCarlo later scored on a errant pick-off throw to third base. St. Pierre scored when he got out of a rundown between third base and home to give the Marlins a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Meyer, who threw the first five-plus innings, got the win. He struck out five and allowed six hits and a walk before exiting two batters into the top of the fifth. St. Pierre closed on the mound.

The Tigers put runners at first and second with two out in the top of sixth but a fly out to deep center field by Takada ended the game.

DeCarlo turned in a big game at shortstop for the Marlins. He went deep to his left to made two key stops on grounders headed up the middle to force out two runners at second base in the top of the fourth.

Takada pitched the first 3 1/3 innings for the Tigers. He gave way to Eddie Pelc who shut down the Marlins the rest of the way.

Pelc struck out seven of the 11 batters he faced.

The Marlins, regular and postseason Major division champions at Ocean View, defeated the Tigers for the fifth time in five games this year.

“I think it was a great team effort,” Marlins Manager Michael DeCarlo said. “I thought we had gutting pitching and timely hitting. Our kids did a great job of battling back after spotting them two runs. We’ve had some close games this year with the Tigers.”

The Ocean View Marlins are: Andrew DeCarlo, Colton Meyer, Paul Wagner, Isaac Bryant, Garrett Webb, Stella Ziegler, Kyle Nelson, Austin Meyer, Joshua Nesbitt, Dylan Youngsma, Jason St. Pierre, Nathan Santy. Manager: Michael DeCarlo. Coaches: Darryl Webb, Erich Ziegler.

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Minor A Division

Westminster Royals 8, Ocean View IronPigs 7

Trent Klasson drove in the winning run on a line-drive single to right-center field to cap a two-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning and lift the Royals to the division title.

Klasson is part of the heart of Westminster’s offensive lineup that came to bat in the bottom of the sixth. The Royals were able to tie the score (7-7) when Sammy Ripley singed to deep left field. Ripley scored on Klasson’s single.

The Royals trailed by four runs in the third inning but a triple by Jack Zindroski brought in the tying run. The IronPigs went ahead again at 6-4 in the top of the fourth but a two-run home run by the Royals’ Nathan Mersey brought the score even again.

The IronPigs took their final lead (7-6) after scoring once in the top of the sixth.

Cruz Jacinto stared on the mound and Ryan Ruiz closed the game for a Royals team that was the first-place team from Westminster and ended the year 17-3.

“The final was a dogfight both teams,” Royals Manager Shawn Zindroski said. “We both answered with great defense and strong hitting but I believe it was our strong mental approach that keep the team focused on our goal, and that players were able to execute when the team needed them to.”

The Westminster Royals are: Sammy Ripley, Jacob Sellers, Jack Zindroski, Ryan Ruiz, Torin McGinnis; Cruz Jacinto, Jacob Mathis, Trent Klasson, Jimmy Ibbetson, Nathan Mersey, Zack Allen, Steven Morse. Manager: Shawn Zindroski. Coaches: Mike Mathis, Raul Ruiz.

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Minor B Division

Westminster Dodgers 6, Seaview Angels 2

An RBI double by Tony Espinoza started a three-run third inning for the Dodgers who went on to defeat the Angels.

Espinoza’s double drove in Myles Ratliff. Jacob Hoisington, who led the Dodgers with two hits in the game, then singled home the final two runs of the inning.

The Dodgers scored twice more in the fourth to increase their lead to 5-0.

Tyler Tran started on the mound. He struck out three and didn’t allow a run in two innings. He went from pitching to catching the remainder of the game, and threw out to base runners. Aiden Russell pitched three innings of relief , struck out seven and got the win.

Tiger Tahvildari, one of the top hitters for the Dodgers, closed out the sixth where he struck out two.

The Dodgers, the second-place team from Westminster, finished their season 17-6. They scored 40 runs in their four tournament games and allowed 11.

“Every player was focused and determined to bring home the gold,” Dodgers Manager Johnny Guerrero said. “I am proud how the boys gelled and came together as true champs do. They held their own and proved to everyone their dedication and determination throughout the year was not to be dismissed.”

The Westminster Dodgers are: Isaiah Flores, Tony Espinoza, Tyler Tran, Tiger Tahvildari, Jacob Hoisington, Aiden Russell, David Trujillo, Jacob Hart, Cyrus Tahvildari, Aidan Arredondo, Braden Guerrero, Myles Ratliff. Manager: Johnny Guerrero. Coaches: Ralph Flores, Greg Hart.