Valley Dodgers Win Season Opener, 9-5

Perry Husband walked with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning to break a 5-5 tie, and the San Fernando Valley Dodgers went on to beat the Ventura County Royals, 9-5, in a National Baseball Congress game at Ventura on Wednesday night.

Mark Grafitti added a three-run homer in the ninth and reliever Dan Gonzalez, who worked the seventh and eighth innings, picked up the win.

The loss snapped a five-game win streak for the Royals (7-3). The game was the season opener for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers will open Golden State League play on Saturday with a doubleheader at UC Irvine against the South Coast Metros. Both teams will play again Sunday at Cal State Northridge in the Dodgers’ home opener.