Twin Cities LL powers to win in NorCal

Twin Cities scored six times in the first inning en route to winning its opener in the State 8-9-10 Little League playoffs in McKinleyville, a 9-3 victory against Turlock on Saturday. Twin Cities (131) remains in the winners' bracket and plays at 4 p.m. Sunday against the winner between Madera American and Fair Oaks Orangevale.

James Sternberg, Oliver Brown and Wyatt Schaefer set the table in the first inning with consecutive singles to load the bases. Rho Aktins reached on an error to score two runs. Danny Searle hit an RBI groundout then Dylan Christensen hit an RBI single to increase the lead to 4-0.

Two more runs came around to score on another error by Turlock.

Five different Twin Cities pitchers combined to limit Turlock to three hits. Turlock pulled within 7-3 in the top of the fourth but Twin Cities responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame for the final margin.

Schaefer and Christensen had two hits apiece. Rhp Aktins had a teamhigh two RBIs.

Baseball

Blake Diggle and Grant Victory both homered as San Rafael dealt Martinez an 11-1 loss at Albert Park on Friday. Diggle was 2-for-3 and drove in three runs. Mike Theisen was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBis. Josh Idell, who previously pitched for College of Marin, threw 2 1/3 innings in relief for the Pacifics with three strikeouts. First-place San Rafael (33-8) is scheduled to travel to Marysville (21-21) on Sunday.

• College of Marin standout Lucas Schafer drove in four runs to help the Novato Knicks' cause, despite a 11-7 loss Friday against the Redding Colt 45s. Riley Cronin accounted for two Novato hits and two RBIs. The Knicks, second in the Norm Thompson Pacific Baseball League at 7-4, are scheduled to host NBO Baseball for a doubleheader Thursday at San Marin.