National Elevens battling back in tournament

The Petaluma National 11-year-old Little League All-Star team is still playing for survival in the Division 1 Northern California Championship Tournament.

After losing their first game, the Nationals have battled back to win three straight in the tournament, being played in Anderson near Redding. They were to play West Sacramento Wednesday night at 7 o’clock, needing a win to advance to the championship round on Thursday where they will have to beat Pleasanton Foothill twice to claim the Northern California championship. Pleasanton Foothill defeated West Sacramento, 9-4, Tuesday night in a semifinal meeting of unbeatens.

Results of Petaluma’s Wednesday game were not available at press time.

The Nationals stayed alive Tuesday night, defeating Morada from Stockton, 8-4, in eight heart-thumping innings.

Petaluma scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning and held on for the win.

Ben Diaz pitched well for the Nationals, striking out seven, before being pitch-counted off the mound in the fourth inning. Jacob Haugen worked well in relief until he was injured on a play at home plate and had to leave the game. Raime Dayton came on to finish the game and earn the win.

David Wood had two big hits for the Nationals, driving in three runs. Carl Schmidt and Zach Fiene both homered, while Colin Landry scored twice.

The Nationals were knocked into the losers’ bracket Saturday when they were beaten by Pleasanton, 20-10, in a first-round game. Ben Diaz hit a home run for Petaluma.

Petaluma came back on Sunday to defeat Reedley, 11-1, with Jake DeCarli and George Marzo hitting home runs.

The Petalumans continued to climb back through the losers’ bracket on Monday, defeating Los Altos, 11-6, with Dayton belting a home run.