Zachary Anthony and Gavin Miller blasted home runs and Griffin Arnold hit two triples to power the Santa Barbara Pony Baseball 9-Under All Stars to an 18-12 victory over Simi Valley in the Mustang Division District Championship game on Sunday in Simi Valley.
Anthony homered in the second inning and went 3 for 5 to pace the Santa Barbara attack. Miller’s homer highlighted a six-run third inning. Arnold tripled in the fourth and fifth inning.
On the mound, Jaylen Meza, Cade Mault and Thatcher Fallon combined for the win.
Santa Barbara turned in some nice defensive plays. Third baseman Kieren Ramaker made a quick throw to nail a baserunner at first; quick hands by second baseman Brandon Weaver started a double play in the fifth. He threw to first baseman Arnold who quickly fired to catcher Anthony for the third out at home. Ethan Mendez kick started the outs in the bottom of the sixth with a catch in left field.
Santa Barbara advanced to the championship with a 9-8 win over the Wilshire Warriors in the semifinals.
Members of the Santa Barbara 9U Mustang All Star team: Anthony Venegas, Brandon Weaver, Cade Mault, Ethan Mendez, Gavin Miller, George Guzman, Griffin Arnold, Henry Schneider, Jaylen Meza, Kieren Ramaker, Mason Walsh, Thatcher Fallon, Zachary Anthony.
The team is managed by Daniel Mault and coached by Mark Meza, Andrew Arnold, and Frank Mendez.