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Outfielder Dan Rodriguez, who hadn't pitched an inning all year, threw an eight-hit complete game, as the Tri-Valley Indians defeated th eInland Pacific Diamondbacks, 7-1, in the 30+ Central Championship game. Tri-Valley scored two in the first and never looked back, as David Born doubled in Kirk Marshall and Matt Lefer. "We got great pitching from our outfielders this whole tournament," said manager Leo Costa. "Between, MArshall, Nick Hall, and Danny, we've had an unbelievable run!" Little Ball In each of the first three innings, Rodriguez issued the D'backs two walks, but Inland Pacific failed to score. "We're a team that has to play little ball: running, bunting, stealing, good pitching,: said manager Jack Pollard. In the fourth, Jim Madigan singled, stole second, and scored the D'back's only run on Mark Stewart's double. By contrast, the Indians cashed in most of their chances. In the fourth, Born reached base on an infield error. Craig Boulris doubled to left, took third on a bunt by Loren Peterson, and scored on Costa's groundout to make the score 4-1. In the fifth, with two on and none out, Matt Galla laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Rob Merwin then delivered a sac fly to push the lead to 5-1. After Rubio Malone, the winning pitcher in the 40+ Central championship the week before, relieved starter Mark Stewart, the Indians added two unearned runs on two singles and an error in the seventh. Spinning Their Wheels In all the Diamondbacks stranded 14 runners. They loaded the bases in the fifth without scoring, and wasted a lead-off double by Terry Hollis on the seventh. The D'backs also committed four errors, which led to four unearned runs. By comparison, the Indians left seven men on base and committed one harmless error. "We played solid. team baseball." said Costa. "No one can be singled out as our MVP."
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