The Novato South 11s and the Twin Cities 9-10s both entered Saturday’s District 3 Little League championship games at Joe Wagner Field in Larkspur needing victories to force winner-take-all games Sunday in the double-elimination format.

Novato South opened the day with a 4-1 victory over Novato North then Twin Cities followed with a 13-4 victory against Ross Valley to keep their hopes of a district title alive.

Xavier Eaton pitched 5.2 innings for Novato South, allowing six hits and one earned run while striking out eight. Novato South scored three times in the top of the second inning after loading the bases on a double by Dante Bendetti, a single by Luca Sansone, and a walk by Niccolo Janeway.

Alexander Clausen drew a base-loaded walk to make it 1-0 then Jakob Bakken grounded into a fielder’s choice for a 2-0 lead. Sebastien Sansone followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 3-0.

Novato South extended to a 4-0 lead in the top of the third. Joseph Cano led off with a double then Henry Hemmelgarn drove him in with another fielder’s choice.

Novato North pulled within 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth but Janeway came on with two outs in the sixth to get the final out for Novato South.

Sunday’s game is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Joe Wagner Field with the winner advancing to the sectional playoffs.

The Twin Cities 9-10s got off to a fast start with four runs in the top of the first inning Saturday and never looked back, adding three runs in the fifth and five more of the sixth to break the game open late.Leadoff hitter Hunter Coghlan had three hits, including a double and a triple, driving in three runs. Leo Storan and Oliver Drullinger had two RBIs apiece for Twin Cities while Beau Sternberg had two hits. Archie O’Neill drew three walks and scored three times.

Twin Cities used three pitchers, highlighted by Vaughn Johnson who pitched the final 3.2 innings. Johnson allowed three hits, two runs (one earned), and struck out six batters.

Twin Cities and Ross Valley will clash again at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Joe Wagner Field with the winner advancing to the section playoffs.

Baseball

The San Rafael Pacifics salvaged a split against the Martinez Sturgeon following a 10-8 home victory on Friday. Alex Valasek picked up the win for the Pacifics (26-11 Pecos League).

Martinez (18-16) picked up a 13-11 win over the Pacifics on Thursday night, scoring nine runs over the first three innings before holding off a late charge by San Rafael.

The Pacifics were set to host the Dublin Leprechauns on Saturday night before hitting the road for a game at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Monterey Amberjacks.