Lodi sweeps opponents in 12U bracket

The Lodi 12U Cal Ripken AllStar Team played welcomed teams from the sixth district over the weekend for the district championship.

But once the introductions were over, the Lodi team bullied its guests around the field, winning all three games in the tournament by 10-run rule.

“They really are coming together,” Lodi manager Kurt Anderson said. “I was talking with them about this. It takes a big change coming from playing against each other to playing with each other, and they’ve really turned the corner.”

After starting with Friday’s 17-1 victory over Oakdale, Lodi shut down Ripon to the tune of 10-0 on Saturday. Ripon came back to the championship through the consolation bracket, and Lodi crushed them again on Sunday, this time 30-4.

“It’s funny because I coached a regular parks and rec team. It’s nice to have a team with 13 really good ballplayers,” Anderson said. “There’s no bottom of the order, there’s no hitter you’re sure is going to get out. We are deep in every single position.”

In Saturday’s game, Steven Whiting pitched a no-hitter in a four-inning game, striking out four while walking two. At the plate, Josh Anderson homered, while Brayden Stout doubled on his way to a 2-for-2 day with two runs. Anderson finished 2for-2 with two RBIs and two runs, as did Whiting. Gianni

Casazza drove in two.

In Sunday’s game, every starter hit safely — Stout went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs, Dylan Bartlett went 3-for4 with four RBIs and four runs, Anderson went 2-for-4 with four runs, Auston Schmierer went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs, Dante Cecchini went 4-for-4 with three RBIs and four runs, Max Loiacono went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs, Casazza went 4-for5 with two RBIs and two runs, Kyle Mann went 2-for-5 with five RBIs and two runs, Cooper Rostomily went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs and Jaron Diaz went 2-for-4 with two runs.

On the mound, Casazza went three innings with three runs on four hits and three strikeouts, while Rostomily finished the final innings, allowing an unearned run while striking out two.

Up next for the squad is the Central California Cal Ripken State Championships from July 3 through 9 at Fig Garden Elementary School in Fresno, hosted by Bullard Cal Ripken.