By By SCOTT COOPER - Sports Writer
The Dodgers won their only game played over the past week to earn the distinction of undisputed champions of the East Brewton Little League's 11-12 year-old division.
While the Dodgers (6-2) claimed the top position, the Cardinals and Red Sox met twice to decide which would end the season as the second and third place teams. Although the two latest meetings ended with a victory for each, the Cardinals' 4-5 season record secured second place while the Red Sox finished third with a 3-6 mark.
Red Sox 8, Cardinals 6
The Red Sox and Cardinals met in a June 2 game that was not decided until the final inning of play.
The Red Sox appeared in control early, but then a Cardinals' rally seriously threatened the Red Sox's leading position. However, needing a win to remain alive in the race for second place, the Red Sox dug deep and produced the runs needed to claim an 8-6 win.
Jimmy Sims and Tyler Nall shared duties from the mound in the Red Sox win. Sims gave-up four hits and struck-out two while Nall allowed four hits and struck-out seven.
Leaders at the plate for the Red Sox were Jimmy Sims, 3-for-3 with one run scored; Tyler Nall, 2-for-3 with one run scored and Jamar Travis, 1-for-3 with one run scored.
Justin Payne went 4-for-4 with one run scored to lead the Cardinals' offensive efforts.
Dodgers 5, Cardinals 4
Having already clinched the pennant as they prepared for a June 3 meeting with the Cardinals, the Dodgers added an exclamation point to their championship season with a 5-4 victory.
Pitching was the story of the game as the Dodgers' William Shell and the Cardinals' Lonnie Farrish took turns controlling the opposing offenses. When all was said and done, however, the Dodgers proved their title-winning resourcefulness by doing what was necessary to come away with a 5-4 win.
Shell notched the win in a complete-game performance, allowing three hits while striking-out 15.
Although taking the loss, Farrish allowed only two hits and struck-out nine.
Jake Cannon and J.B. Gibson each scored two runs to pace the Dodgers' offense.
Johnathon Maddox went 1-for-2 with one run scored to lead the Cardinals' offense.
Cardinals 15, Red Sox 5
A June 5 matchup of the Cardinals and Red Sox ended with a decisive Cardinals' victory that secured them the division's second-place position.
Pounding the ball for 11 base hits, the Cardinals also took advantage of four errors committed by the Red Sox to come away with a 15-5 win.
Justin Payne went the distance in notching the win for the Cardinals, giving-up five hits and recording nine strikeouts.
Batting leaders for the Cardinals were Kevin Pace, 2-for-2 with two runs scored; Tyler Cross, 2-for-3 with three runs scored; Greg Shipp, 1-for-2 with two runs scored; Dodson Herrington, 2-for-4 with one run scored and Justin Payne, 1-for-3 with three runs scored.
Jimmy Sims led the Red Sox by going 1-for-3 with one run scored.