Little League All-Stars Out of District Playoffs

Having won two games in a row in the Little League Baseball District 25 Tournament, the North Venice 11 and 12-year-old team came into Tuesday's game against host Culver City with confidence soaring.

However, the team's spirit was brought back down to earth early as Ryan Weiner was hit in the helmet and awarded first base to lead off the bottom of the first inning and Michael Netzel followed with a two-run home run and Culver City went on to win 7-3 at Bill Botts Field.

It was North Venice's second loss, knocking it out of the tournament. 

"It was a hard-fought game," North Venice Manager Stanley Atkins said. "We gave up a few runs early and tried to battle back, but Culver City is a good team. I'm just proud my boys didn't give up. They fought to the end."

Shortstop Nick Atkins and second baseman Michael Flores each made several defensive plays to prevent runs, Dustin Dehenny started the game on the mound, and Ryan Di'Arte pitched well in relief and slid under a tag at the plate to score North Venice's third run. 

"The best team won today," Atkins added. "Our kids had their heads up, and I'm very proud of them."

Matthew Mesler, Mia Waters and Flores tried to lead a comeback, but after North Venice scored to trim the deficit to 3-1 in the top of the second inning, Culver City tacked on three more runs in the bottom half to make it 6-1.

"This was a good victory but a tough one," Culver City Manager Chip Netzel said. "North Venice is always tough. I've always enjoyed the Culver City-North Venice rivalry. It's good competitive baseball. I've loved it since I was in high school playing Little League. I'm just glad we got through this one and can move on." 

After winning its opener 4-1 over Santa Monica East, North Venice lost to West Los Angeles 24-3 two days later, dropping down to the loser's bracket in the double-elimination tournament.

There, North Venice blanked Beverly Hills 10-0 and beat Santa Monica West 5-2 in the first two rounds, setting up its semifinal game against Culver City, which now plays the loser of Wednesday night's game against West LA and Ladera. 

In the 9-10 Division, North Venice plays University at 6 p.m. at Ladera in an elimination game. 

In the 10-11 Division, North Venice was eliminated by Culver City 13-2 last Thursday at Ladera. 

In the Junior Division, North Venice beat Santa Monica West 17-1 last Thursday and will meet Culver City in the semifinals of the winner's bracket Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Culver City.

Five teams are in the Senior Division, which begins Thursday at La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills. North Venice plays its first game at 10 a.m. Saturday against Santa Monica. The winner advances to play City of Angels, Culver Marina or host Beverly Hills at 3 p.m. Sunday.