Sports
Dodgers Finish Second at District Tournament
The Culver City Little League team reaches the Minor Division championship game.
A memorable baseball season came to an end for the Culver City Dodgers on Saturday morning in the Minor Division championship game of the District 25 Tournament of Champions, hosted at the Culver Marina Little League fields.
The Dodgers fell behind 5-0 in the first inning and, despite a third-inning rally, lost to the West LA Cubs 15-5 to earn second place out of 12 teams.
Nine-year-old Julian Galvan struck out seven batters in four innings for the Dodgers before being replaced after reaching the allowable pitch count.
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The Dodgers scored all of their runs in the third inning. Anthony Yang and Camilo Betancourt drew bases-loaded walks, then Nicholas Iverson doubled to score Aidan Von Grabow and Darin Camponuevo. Yuma Oda was plunked on the helmet and awarded first, loading the bases, then Griffin Hodur drew a walk to force home Josh Nascimento and pull Culver City to within 8-5.
Galvan had pitched five and one-third innings in the Dodgers' 5-0 victory over Santa Monica East in the first round and Iverson duplicated that feat in a 5-1 quarterfinal victory over Malibu. Then, three pitchers combined to silence Wrigley's bats in Culver City's 10-1 semifinal triumph Wednesday.
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"We've had great pitching all season from Julian, Nicholas and [closer] Jordan Turner," said Dodgers Manager Juan Iverson, who was assisted by coaches Todd Turner and Raul Galvan. "We only gave up two runs in the first three games and Griffin [Hodur] did an excellent job catching them. I'm very proud of all the kids."
The Dodgers came in second place behind the Padres in the Culver City Little League regular season standings but finished first in their league tournament to qualify for the District 25 Tournament of Champions. They finished the season 16-6-2.
The roster of local 9- to 11-year-olds consists of first baseman Josh Nascimento, shortstop/pitcher Jordan Turner, infielder/pitcher Nicholas Iverson, third baseman Yuma Oda, catcher Griffin Hodur, outfielder Gino Haas, pitcher/second baseman Julian Galvan and outfielders Anthony Yang, Camilo Betancourt, Aidan Von Grabow, Darin Camponuevo and Daniel Ornelas.
