Dirtbags halted by Cardinal

"I did not like that at all," said Arensdorf, the Dirtbags' catcher. "I hated it. I wanted to try to tie [the score] up."

But it worked out for the Cardinal, as they got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat. They stretched their lead to 9-4 in the fifth, Kent getting the big hit with a two-RBI double to center.

Robinwood scored all nine of its runs with two outs.

Costa Mesa National couldn't come all the way back, though the Dirtbags didn't get the benefit of two very close calls in the sixth. A baserunner was called just out at second after Trevor Brown's bloop single to center.

One out later, Trevor Pacheco's infield single brought in Brown, narrowing the deficit to 9-5. But then Siegel's rocket shot down the third-base line was called just foul. Robinwood reliever Drey Despot came back to earn a strikeout, ending the game.

The Costa Mesa National and American Little Leagues sent a combined four teams to the District 62 Tournament of Champions. As the only one of the four to advance past the first round, the Dirtbags could still feel proud of their season.

"Our team came together when [Arensdorf] went behind the plate full-time," Wood said. "He was like the glue that held us together. Carson Letterman pitched on Monday. The guy was on fire. He pitched our last three playoff games."

Letterman said it was the first time he had advanced past the first round.

"It was probably our defense, and our ability to hit the ball," Letterman said of the reasons for the Dirtbags' success. "[Arensdorf] blocks every ball, pretty much."

Arensdorf went six for six in the TOC, including two hits Wednesday. Pacheco was two for three against Robinwood.

Justin Wood, Joey Hubbs, Katy Nash and Liam Wallington also contributed for Costa Mesa National. Wallington had one of the standout defensive play of the night, snagging a low line drive at second base.

matthew.szabo@latimes.com

Twitter: mjszabo