The Twin Cities 9-10s Little League team scored seven runs in the top of the third inning on Thursday to start its sectional playoff campaign off with a 9-1 victory over Benicia.

Zander Scales delivered the biggest hit — a line drive into right field that cleared the bases and made the score 8-0. Scales was credited with two RBIs on the play. Benicia made a throwing error on the play.

Scales and Hunter Coghlan had two hits each for Twin Cities. Beau Sternberg hit a two-out, two-run single in the first inning to open the scoring. Ted Bedecarre, Vaughn Johnson and Finley Buck-Gerber were also credited with RBIs.

Coghlan and Johnson pitched most of the game with Coghlan going the first 2.2 innings, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out three. Johnson worked the next 2.2 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out four. Buck-Gerber came in for the final two outs.

Twin Cities is set to play another winner’s bracket game at 10 a.m. Saturday in American Canyon.

The Novato North 11s were set to open sectional play late Thursday night against Benicia at Camarena Field in Woodland.

The Novato North majors team was given a bye into Saturday’s winner’s bracket action and plays at 11 a.m. Saturday at Joe Wagner Field in Larkspur.