Jewel City/JWV 9-10 All-Stars rough up Tujunga, 18-5

Playing two games in as many days with the minimum nine players, the Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans 9-10 All-Stars wouldn’t seem to have the numbers in their favor.

But they put up more than enough big numbers on Tuesday afternoon at the Tujunga Little League Fields, notching 12 hits and six walks en route to a four-inning 18-5 win over Tujunga in the District 16 All-Star Tournament.

“We just kept the bats going and we felt good at the plate,” said shortstop Cam Cassidy, whose team defeated Burbank No. 1, 5-3, on Monday.

Though every Jewel City player reached base and either scored or drove in a run, the biggest day was had by Cassidy. Cassidy was four for four with seven runs batted in, three runs scored and three stolen bases.

The game’s fate was ultimately decided when Jewel City plated 10 runs in the bottom of the second to take a 13-2 lead. Cassidy was two for two with five RBI, two runs and two stolen bases in the stanza, delivering a bases-loaded triple in his second at-bat, coming around to score on an errant throw to clear the bases.

“I went up to the plate, I saw he was throwing some lollipops,” Cassidy said. “I just swung, did all my mechanics right and swung for the fences.

“I hit that for my dad, it’s his birthday.”

Just about everybody got in on the hit parade Tuesday.

Max Alsoufiev was three for three with three runs and an RBI, Conner Loke was two for two with a walk and three runs, Ethan Tobey had two hits, two runs and a stolen base, Tristan Ulloa walked three times and scored twice, Natasha Cohen had a walk, stolen base, RBI and run and Jonah Cisneros had a hit, two RBI, two runs and drew a rare catcher’s interference call.

Starting pitcher Grant Carl threw two innings, allowing one hit and two walks, while striking out four.

“I like games like that,” smiled Carl of the blowout.

Carl, who also drove in two runs at the plate, was relieved by Daniel Verrengia, who struck out the side the third and had four in two innings, while allowing two hits.

Tujunga took a 2-0 lead thanks to two walks, an error and four wild pitches, but Jewel City/JWV came right back with three runs in the bottom of the first.

“After that, we settled down and played our game,” said Jewel City Manager Dave Miller.

After the three-run first, Jewel City/JWV erupted for 10 in the second thanks to seven hits, one catcher’s interference call, two walks, two wild pitches, one passed ball and two errors.

“That was just icing on the cake,” said Miller of the inning that put the game to rest.

Five more runs were scored by Jewel City in the third to take an 18-3 lead, with Cassidy driving in two on a double to finish the day with a pair of singles, a triple and a two-bagger.

Up next, Jewel City will face Crescenta Valley or Burbank No. 2 at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Tujunga.
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Follow Grant Gordon on Twitter: @TCNGrantGordon.