ELEVENS: Petaluma National and Petaluma American bash into semifinals

Wins set up a clash between Petaluma American and Petaluma National.|

Petaluma National battered four Sebastopol pitchers en route to a lopsided 21-3 decision in the winner’s bracket of the District 35 Little League Tournament for ages 9-11 at Lucchesi Park on Sunday morning.

The win set up a clash with crosstown rival Petaluma American tonight at 5:30, with both teams sporting a perfect 2-0 record in early tournament play. The Americans cruised past West Side Little League of Santa Rosa, 13-6.

In earlier games, Petaluma National defeated Rincon Valley, 9-7, and Petaluma American took care of Petaluma Valley, 11-1.

Hitting was no problem for the Nationals in their game against Sebastopol. After a scoreless first inning, the Nationals scored four runs in each of the second and third frames to take an 8-3 lead.

The lads from the west side of Petaluma broke out the big sticks in the top of the fourth with 13 runs as the hits kept on coming. Colin Landry had two hits in the frame, including a two-run double.

Ben Diaz and David Wood both struck home runs as the Nationals recorded nine hits in the big inning.

A big scare for both teams came during the rally against Sebastopol reliever Gavin Reed. A hard ground ball skipped up and struck Reed below the bill of the cap, and he went down quickly as coaches gathered to give aid. It turned out that Reed was struck on the chin, and was able to walk off under his own power with no immediate damage noted.

The exit of Reed only made things worse for the visitors, who were forced to press inexperienced pitchers to the bump and the Nationals feasted on their offerings.

Diaz started for the Nationals and went the distance to pick up the victory when the game was shortened to four innings. Sebastopol scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the second inning, featuring an RBI single by starting pitcher Steven Doody. Another threat in the third frame was cut short on a snap throw from catcher Jake DeCarli to George Marzo at third base to nail a runner.

Lead-off hitter Raime Dayton had a pair of hits for the winning Nationals, including a bases-clearing double in the second inning. Dayton finished with a game-high four RBIs.

Dayton was among four players to record at least two hits for Petaluma, but it was DeCarli who finished with three base hits in a impressive hitting display. Marzo chipped in with a solo homer in the second inning.

Sebastopol came into the game after defeating Santa Rosa American 8-6 in the opening round.

Petaluma Valley, after losing to Petaluma American, was eliminated from the tournament by Rincon Valley on Tuesday evening, 11-1.

The tournament continues through Saturday with the championship game at 11 a.m. at Lucchesi Park. A second title game, if necessary, will be played Sunday at 11 a.m.

The winner of the 9-11 tournament advances to the Section playoff hosted by District 53.

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