Little Leagues host opening-weekend games

An action-packed weekend for the majors teams kicks off the season.

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Eamon Savard rushes the field with his team. — Stacey Rupolo

The Martha’s Vineyard Little League kicked off their season with a parade and a slew of games this week.

The Cubs clipped the Cards on Saturday at Penn Field in the final game of the official opening day. After two scoreless innings, the Cubbies outscored the Redbirds 3-1 in the third and blew the game open by batting around in the fourth. Rookie Ethan Dibiaso ignited a six-run rally by smashing a two-RBI single to left.

Cubs starter Latham Higgins notched the win, throwing 68 pitches, striking out 11, and issuing just one walk in five innings. Cam Napior closed out the game, striking out the first two batters he faced in the sixth. Richie Combra singled for the Cards, but was caught trying to steal second by Cubs catcher Liam Marek, who ended the game by picking off his second runner of the day.

Bethany Cardoza knocked in the lone run for the Cardinals with a hard shot to right in the third inning. Starting pitcher Josh Lake threw two strong innings for the Redbirds before giving way to Grady McCracken.

On Monday night, the Cubs hosted the Red Sox, and bested them 4-2. Cam Napior was on the mound for the Cubs. He started off the game striking out the side with 11 pitches. Atlas Zack took the mound in the bottom half for the Sox. He struggled to get the ball down in the zone, giving up six walks. The Cubs would have three runs cross the plate, but could not come up with a timely hit to really do some damage.

After the first, Atlas got in a rhythm, and threw only 47 pitches over the next four innings. This was only five more than he threw in just the first, striking out four and shutting down the Cubs.

Cam would go on to pitch 5⅓, giving up one single to Jakie Glasgow, who knocked in Luke Silvia, on base due to a dropped third strike. Jakie would come around to score on an error. 4-2 Cubs after 5. Jakie knocked Cam out of the game after a 10-pitch at bat in the top of the sixth. Ashley Brasefield would come in for the Cubs, pitching in her first majors game. With her sweet sinking sidearm she would induce two quick groundouts and a pop-up to end the game.

The Athletics improved to 3-0 in the young season with a Saturday sweep of the Pirates (13-11) and Red Sox (13-9). On Tuesday, the Cardinals picked up their first win of the season over the Pirates (9-5).