Benicia Little League’s 9/10 all-stars staved off elimination with a convincing 19-5 victory over Napa National in four innings at the District 53 Tournament in American Canyon on Friday.

Peyton Rowles went 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs while teammate Myles Cooper went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs as Benicia (2-1) moved to within one win of a berth into the District 53 championship round. Benicia will play either Tri-Valley or Fairfield Atlantic on Sunday at noon, with the winner advancing to the title round Monday against unbeaten Sonoma.

Benicia’s offense went 18-for-29 against Napa National. Kabir Sihota went 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs, Jaden Mason went 2-for-3 with two runs and a RBI, and Lucas Ayres went 2-for-2 with a run and two RBIs. Other offensive stars for Benicia included Carlos Largaespada (2-for-2, two runs, one RBI) and Jax Core (two runs, one RBI).

Benicia trailed 1-0 in the top of the second but batted around for eight runs to take command. Core, Largaespada, Mason, Ayres, Wyatt Miyamoto and Sergio Urias each had singles in the inning.

Napa National pulled to within 8-4 after two innings but Benicia responded by batting around again in the top of the third, scoring nine times for a commanding 17-4 lead. Rowles had a double and a single during the rally while Cooper had a pair of singles. Jake Holcomb added a double and Mason, Sihota and Ayres each had singles.

Rowles added a RBI single in the fourth inning and David Bloom walked with the bases loaded to force home Benicia’s final run of the day.

Benicia pitchers Sihota, Miyamoto and Holcomb combined for a five-hitter, with Holcomb retiring all three batters he faced in the fourth inning.

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