Posted: Thursday, June 29, 2017 9:00 am

News-Sentinel Staff

The Lodi Reds 12 and under baseball team advanced in the Cooperstown All-Star Village tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y. on Wednesday.

Taking on Queensland, Australia, Lodi posted a 10-0 win in a game called after five innings because of the mercy rule. The Reds was led defensively by pitcher Josh Anderson, who pitched a complete game shut out that included four strikeouts and allowed two hits. Part of the Reds’ defensive efforts was from Zachary Stephens, who made a tremendous play up the middle trapping a ball and completing an unassisted double-play to save a run.

On offense, Lodi was fueled by Dante Cecchini added a 3-run home run in the first inning, and his second of the tournament. Jaron Diaz had a home run to secure the mercy rule, launching a two-run shot over the center field wall.

Stephens had two hits and scored a run. Anderson also had two hits including a double and a run. Jake Lopez added a double and Gage Jimenez single and scored a run.

Lodi, which went 3-2 in pool play games, was scheduled to play late Wednesday night. Results of the game were not available at press time. If the Reds won their second game of elimination action, they will advance to the sweet 16 bracket and is scheduled to play again this morning.

Prior to Wednesday’s game, Lodi played its final pool play game in which Jet Box Baseball posted a 4-2 win. Caleb Hendricks pitched a complete game for the Reds, as he allowed three hits and one earned run. Offensively, Cecchini smacked his first home run. Hendricks, plus Dylan Evans and Hugo Balderrama, had singles.