If San Dimas had La Verne’s number last year, it lost it, because the men from La Verne erupted for six runs in the first inning last night and never looked back en route to a 14-0 win over their cross-town rivals in 11-year-old Little League All-Star action at Pelota Park.
Tanner Siffeert promptly got things started with a leadoff walk. After a deep fly-out by Tommy Delgado, Johnny Martinez banged a solid single to right field to score Siffert. Walks to Joe DeFina and Jared Serrano loaded the bases. After Martinez came home on a wild pitch, Matt Kurnik slapped a two-run single to put La Verne up 4-0. He scored on a double by Griffin Mulvey, who eventually came around on a second wild pitch. After a half inning of play La Verne led 6-0.
For the night, La Verne banged out 10 hits in four innings of play, with Griffin Mulvey leading the onslaught with a pair of doubles and a single and three RBIs. DeFina also had a perfect night, collecting a single and double in two official at-bats. Meanwhile on the mound, La Verne pitchers DeFina and Nolan O’Laughlin were lights out, mixing their fastballs and off-speed pitches to keep the San Dimas hitters off balance all night.
“It was another team win,” said manager Mike Kurnik. “If we want to win District, we have to win together. Pouncing out to a big lead early really helped tonight.
Late in the game, La Verne showed off some its speed, pulling off a double steal by Siffert in the third inning. Both runners came around and scored.
As for Mulvey, he’s found a hitting sweet spot. He said before every game he jumps in the batting cage to sharpen his stroke and hitting eye, and so far he seems ready to capitalize on every pitcher’s mistake.
“I’m in a zone right now,” Mulvey said. He could have been talking about the entire team as well!
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