Jimmy Knittel gets a lead at first during Thursday's win over Livonia.

9U Canton Cardinals rock
Livonia, 17-1, in home opener

May 1, 2010, 12:35 p.m.

  The 9U Canton Cardinals travel baseball team won its home opener against the Livonia Legends, 17-1, on Thursday at the Canton Sports Center.

  The Cardinals' pitching and defense were tough, allowing just four base runners.

  Ryan McAuliffe earned the win on the mound, striking out seven while yielding just one hit and one walk in three innings. Aaron Dolney struck out the side in the fourth and Ben Spencer finished up by whiffing two in the final inning.

  Leading the hit parade for the Cardinals were Dolney, who homered, tripled, singled and drove in four runs; Thomas Harvey (3-for-3, two RBI) and Kyle Aniol (double, single, two RBI).

  Also swinging hot bats were Jimmy Knittel, Michael Kruzska and Jacob Kash, all of whom went 2-for3 with an RBI.

  Nice defensive plays were made by Knittel and Harvey.

  The Cardinals are now 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the KVBSA Central Conference.