Fresh off a dominating performance in the District 53 Tournament, Benicia’s Junior League all-star team kept the momentum going with a 17-5 victory over Dixon in six innings on Sunday in the Section 1 opener in Terra Linda.

Vallecito Field, which is hosting the tournament, is very small compared to Benicia’s home park at Fitzgerald Field. Benicia took advantage as Sammy Peterson, Shane Martin, Jayshaun Wise and Zion Judkins each hit home runs.

“The outfielders are playing right up against the fence most of the time,” said Benicia manager Carl Rendell. “It’s a pretty small field.”

Peterson and Martin each hit two-run homers while Wise and Judkins hit solo shots. Martin and Wise went back-to-back and Benicia pounded out 15 hits during the day.

“We’ve been hitting throughout the tournament and I kind of expect this team to hit as long as they stay within their approach,” Rendell said.

Peter Templeton pitched the first four innings for Benicia, with Braeden Chapman throwing the final two innings in relief.

Benicia – which is 3-0 so far in the postseason – advanced to a winner’s bracket game on Monday against Fort Bragg, the District 35 champions. Fort Bragg had a first-round bye.

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