Eastlake Little League’s 10U, 11U and 12U All-Star baseball teams blasted their way to California Section 7 championship titles this week. Next stop for all three teams: the state championship tournament.
Eastlake’s 11U and 12U teams both blasted their way to the Southern California Division III tournament with lopsided wins, going 3-0 in the section tournament to improve to 6-0 in postseason All-Star play. Eastlake’s 10U team rallied from the elimination bracket to post four wins at the section tournament to secure a berth in the state tournament.
Eastlake’s 11U All-Star team blanked Cajon de Oro, 10-0, on Tuesday to claim their second postseason banner.
Eastlake’s 10U All-Stars team defeated Calexico, 8-3, on Wednesday to do the same.
Eastlake’s 12U All-Star team remained undefeated in postseason play with a 13-6 win over Cajon de Oro.
Eastlake Little League President Mark Robertson is obviously very proud of the three teams’ accomplishments.
“Each team faced tough competition in Cajon de Oro and Calexico in the championship games,” Robertson explained. “There is no secret to the success but hard work and the belief they will win every game.
“The 12s have great pitching and hit the ball hard. The team unity and bonding can be attributed to great coaching. The coaching staff has the kids loose and having fun on the field.
“The 11s come out and battle. They are great defensively and don’t make any errors. The pitchers believe in their defense and trust that they will make plays on the field.
“The 10s showed true grit after losing a tough opening round game. They had to win four games in a row and beat a tough Calexico team twice to win the Section 7 title.
“We are extremely proud of all three teams. They continue to practice almost every day during their summer break. I want to continue to thank the parents and their dedication to the team and the coaching staff. The parents make this a possibility just as much as the players with organizing team pot lucks, getting to practice, getting to games and spending summer vacation at the fields.
“The Eastlake community continues to support our teams as they begin the next leg of this fun journey.”
Road to Williamsport
Eastlake’ 12U All-Stars ran their postseason record to 5-0 following 8-0 and 12-0 wins over Cajon de Oro and Brawley, respectively, to open play in the section tournament at Spring Valley Little League.
In last Saturday’s win over District 41 champion Cajon de Oro, Daniel Mora slammed a two-run home run, Isaiah Lane hit a solo home run and Hunter Stencil hit a home run while picking up the win on the mound.
Stencil pitched five no-hit innings, striking out 10 batters.
“The scary part is that he didn’t have his best stuff and struggled with (the layout of) the mound,” ELL coach Mike Lane explained. “He pitched with grit and determination.”
Mikey Rocha closed out the game and completed the combined no-hitter with an impressive performance in the sixth inning.
Along with his dominance on the mound, Stencil went four-for-four with one home run and four RBI.
Mora and Isaiah Lane broke the game open in the fourth inning with back-to-back home runs.
In Sunday’s winners bracket final, Eastlake met District 22 champion Brawley, which defeated District 66 champion Spring Valley, 12-1, on Saturday.
The long ball once again featured prominently in Eastlake’s win over the Imperial County team.
Nico Libed hit a two-run home run in the top of the third inning to put Eastlake out in front 7-0. Tre Edwards followed with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to make the score 12-0.
Chase Taylor picked up the win by allowing just one hit while striking out five batters in securing a four-inning shutout.
With the win, Eastlake advanced to Thursday’s championship game against Cajon de Oro after the District 41 champions edged Brawley, 7-6, in a seven-inning thriller on Tuesday.
“It was fun, we fought hard,” Taylor told a TV news crew on site after the game.
Eastlake played long ball once again in Thursday’s championship game to do major damage to its opponent.
Lane started the fireworks with a two-run home run in the first inning, Rocha followed with a two-run blast in the second inning and Esteban Garcia cracked open the game with a grand slam before the second inning was over.
Rocha hit another two-run home run in the third inning to up Eastlake’s lead to 10-3 and Edwards doubled home Stencil later in the frame as the Eastlake lead swelled on the scoreboard.
Sebastian Espinoza hit a home run in the fourth inning to make the score 12-4 in Eastlake’s favor and all that was left was to retire the District 41 champions in the next two innings to secure the section championship.
Libed started the game on the mound for Eastlake. Rocha took over in the third inning.
As the Section 7 champion, Eastlake advances to the 10-team Southern California District III tournament hosted by California District 38 Long Beach Little League July 19-30.
11U All-Stars
Eastlake opened play at Brawley Little League in the Imperial Valley with a 13-0 win over District 22 champion Imperial last Saturday and followed that with a 13-1 win over District 66 champion Lemon Grove on Sunday.
The two wins advanced the team to Tuesday’s championship game against District 41 champion Cajon de Oro at West Hills Little League.
Three pitchers combined for a shutout in Eastlake’s win over Brawley. Kain Cruz led the team effort on the mound by striking out six batters in three innings.
The District 42 champions wasted little time in taking the lead as Ivan Murillo drew a walk with the bases loaded and Johnny Huerta followed with a single.
Eastlake scored nine runs in the third inning. The wild inning was driven, according to manager Mark Wells, by a double by Huerta, a passed ball, an error, a single by Charlie Singleton, a single by Derreck Borruel, a home run by Rafa Perez and a wild pitch.
Noah Libed homered in the fourth inning.
Eastlake rapped out 14 hits in the game. Borruel, Huerta, Singleton, Murillo and Libed each collected multiple hits for Eastlake. Perez, Murillo and Huerta each drove in two runs to lead the District 42 champs, who did not commit an error in the contest.
Three pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in the subsequent win over Lemon Grove. Cruz registered six strikeouts in three innings while Borruel and Max Radovan each struck out three batters in one inning of work. Radovan recorded the final out of the game on a strikeout.
Cruz, who went three-for-four at the plate, led Eastlake with four RBI. Cruz drove in runs with a double in the third inning and a home run in the fourth inning.
Eastlake scored five runs in the fifth inning to blow the game open.
Eastlake collected 12 hits. Cruz, Murillo, Singleton and Libed each collected multiple hits. Murillo and Cruz finished the game with home runs.
Eastlake allowed just one run in three games at the section tournament after defeating Cajon de Oro in Tuesday’s championship game.
The game ended in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.
Libed and Cruz teamed up for the shutout while Charlie Singleton led the offense with a four-for-four performance.
Singleton singled in the first inning, doubled in the second inning, singled in the fourth inning and ended the game with a double in the fifth inning.
Eastlake banged out 12 hits, with Singleton, Cruz and Libed each collecting multiple hits.
“The boys were sure-handed and did not make an error in the game,” Wells said.
Eastlake (6-0 in All-Star play) now advances to the Southern California Division III state tournament hosted by California District 23 Upland Foothill Little League July 20-27 in Upland.
10U All-Stars
Eastlake opened tournament play with a 14-13 loss to District 22 champion Calexico to drop to the elimination bracket. Eastlake staved off early elimination in the four-team tournament at West Hills Little League by defeating District 66 champion Spring Valley on Sunday, 13-3, and followed with a 14-3 elimination win over District 42 champion Rancho San Diego on Monday to keep their championship hopes alive.
Eastlake jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the second inning of its opener against Calexico and led 13-6 in the fifth inning but could not nail down the win despite the effort of six different pitchers.
A pesky Calexico team, according to Eastlake manager Gerry Huerta, rallied with eight unanswered runs to capture a wild 14-13 win on a walk-off base hit in its final at-bat.
Eastlake’s Ryan Garcia pitched a complete game as the District 42 champions managed to run-rule Spring Valley in four innings in their first elimination game.
Stevie Cabral went three-for-three with two doubles and a single.
“The bats came alive and the defense played solid,” Huerta said.
Eastlake eliminated Rancho San Diego in its next game behind another solid complete game pitching performance by Aidan Flores.
Flores helped his cause by going three-for-three at the plate with a triple and two singles. Dante Millán also went three-for-three with two singles and a ground-rule double over the right field fence.
“The bats came alive and the defense played solid,” Huerta said. “Everyone on the team contributed to the win.”
The runaway victory advanced Eastlake to an anticipated rematch with Calexico on Tuesday, needing another win to force a double-elimination game for the section title.
In a hotly contested game in which all Calexico needed was a win to sew up the section title and advance to the state tournament, Eastlake again came out victorious by an 8-3 score behind the efforts of its ace and go-to guy Cabral, who recorded 14 strikeouts on the mound, while Ryan Garcia contributed to the offense with two home runs.
The series against a very well disciplined Calexico team, according to Huerta, moved on to Wednesday’s winner-take-all double-elimination championship game.
After Eastlake managed to avenge its sole loss in postseason play, it captured the Section 7 championship behind a strong five-inning pitching performance by Millan.
Eastlake jumped out to an early lead behind an inside-the-park home run by Adrik Sanchez and never looked back. Garcia helped out at the plate by clearing the fences with a two-run blast.
Eastlake made sure not to relinquish the lead this time as Adrik Sanchez came in to close the game in the sixth inning.
Eastlake advances to the Southern California Division III state tournament hosted by Palmdale Little League July 21-30.
Eastlake takes an 8-1 All-Star record into its first game on July 22.
“The boys played their hearts out and persevered after an unexpected first-round loss,” Huerta explained. “We are all very proud of them. They will prepare all week long for the state tournament to be held in Palmdale.”
State of mind
District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero called the three Eastlake teams’ performances “extraordinary.”
“Our 11-year-olds from Eastlake Little League dealt with the heat in Brawley for the first few games. My fellow district administrator Sal Munoz from Imperial County in District 22 agreed to move the championship game to San Diego. The move was well received given the unbearable heat in Imperial County and the fact that the two teams for the championship game were from the San Diego region.
“Our 10-year-olds from Eastlake Little League fought back after losing their opening game against a very good Calexico team. These kids never gave up and played with confidence.
“The Calexico team really gave the Eastlake team a run for its money. The players, managers, coaches and parents were all class act individuals. I expect to see both teams battling it out the next two years.
“I’m really impressed with our Eastlake Little League 12-year-old team. The manager, coaches and all 14 players have showed passion and commitment.
“The cohesion of the team was very apparent due in large part due to manager Adam Villarreal. He has a very positive approach on how he manages the kids. Assisting Adam is coach Eddy Espinoza, who was one of the coaches for our 2013 Eastlake Little League U.S. champions. Given his experience, he will adeptly convey the kind of spirit, mindset and determination it takes to be a successful team.
“This is so surreal because it’s as if history is repeating itself. In 2009 during my first year as district administrator, the Park View team won the world championship game. In 2013, Eastlake Little League won the U.S. championship. In 2015 and 2016, Sweetwater Valley and Park View respectively fought and made their way to Williamsport, Pa., to proudly represent the West. Now it seems as if Eastlake is on that track.
“However, the 10-team tournament in Long Beach is a challenge for all teams that make it there, including Eastlake. This tournament is probably the toughest in the United States. Whoever wins will advance to the West Region tournament in San Bernardino to represent Southern California.”
Next level
Eastlake’s 10U All-Stars are scheduled to open Division III tournament play on Saturday, July 22, when they will play the winner of Friday’s play-in game between Section 1 champion Dos Pueblos and Section 8 champion Fontana Community. Game time for Saturday’s game is 4 p.m.
The winner of Saturday’s game advances to Sunday’s game against the winner of Saturday’s game between Section 2 champion Encino and Section 3 champion La Verne.
Other section champions participating in the state tournament include 5 champion Tustin Western, Section 6 champion Allied Gardens, Section 9 champion Yucaipa, Section 10 champion Santa Margarita and the Section 4 champion (TBA).
Games are ongoing through the championship round July 28-29.
Eastlake and District 33 champion Allied Gardens are representing San Diego County in the Division III tournament.
Eastlake’s 11U All-Stars open tourney play with a game against the Section 10 champion on Thursday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. The winner advances to play the Section 8 champion on Saturday, July 22, at 4 p.m.
Games in either the winners or elimination brackets will be played every day leading up to the championship game on July 27. A double-elimination game, if necessary, would be played July 28.
Two teams from San Diego County will compete for a shot at the state championship. Encinitas Little League will represent Section 6.
Eastlake’s 12U All-Stars are scheduled to open the state tournament with a first-round game against Section 4 champion Rolling Hills on Thursday, July 20, at 6 p.m.
The winner advances to face Friday’s winner between Section 6 champion Encinitas and Wednesday’s play-in winner between Section 10 champion Santa Margarita and Section 1 champion Goleta Valley.
Should Eastlake win its opening game, the Section 7 champions would next play on Sunday, July 23, at 2 p.m.
The 10-team tournament features five rounds, plus a potential double-elimination “if necessary” game, in the winners bracket. The elimination bracket features five rounds.
The championship game is scheduled July 30. A total of 19 games are scheduled over the 12 days.
Besides the aforementioned teams, the SoCal Division III tournament also includes teams from Orangecrest (Section 9), Northridge City (Section 2), West Long Beach (Section 5), Southridge (Section 8) and La Verne (Section 3).
Best in the west
The Little League World Series West Region championship tournament in San Bernardino, which is telecast by the ESPN networks, includes six teams: the Southern California and Northern California champions, plus state champions from Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Games begin on Aug. 6 and conclude on Aug. 12.
First pitch in the actual Little League World Series is scheduled for Aug. 17. The U.S. championship game is scheduled Aug. 26; the LLWS championship game pitting the U.S. and international division champions is scheduled Aug. 27.
Thirty games will be played over the course of the event that will be telecast worldwide.
The U.S. and international divisions each include eight teams.
The U.S. bracket includes champions from the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and West regions.
The international bracket will feature teams from the Asia-Pacific, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Europe-Africa, Japan, Latin America and Mexico regions.
District 42 champion Park View Little League advanced from the West region tournament to play in last year’s LLWS U.S. bracket.
Three other District 42 championship teams have competed in the hallowed Little League World Series since 2009, beginning with Park View, which won the LLWS championship over Chinese Taipei.
Eastlake Little League won the U.S. championship in 2013 while Sweetwater Valley finished third in the U.S. bracket in 2015.
Luckie Waller Intermediate League All-Stars take two wins to open SoCal Division III tournament
The District 42 champion Luckie Waller 13U All-Star team won its opening two games in the District III tournament hosted by Laguna Niguel Little League at Chapparosa Park.
Luckie Waller defeated Bloomington Little League (Section 8), 7-4, in last Friday’s division opener.
Luckie Waller advanced to Tuesday’s winners bracket final against Rancho Peñasquitos National (Section 6) after defeating Coast Little League (District 1), 7-6, on Sunday.
Last Friday’s game was a battle for the first two innings as both teams couldn’t scratch a hit.
That changed in the top of the third inning as the first two Luckie Waller batters — Andy Alvarez and Leo Castillo — drew bases on balls.
Bryan Ortiz, the next batter, struck out. But Christian Paruginog followed with a triple over the head of the right fielder with two strikes to score both base runners.
Logan Duenas grounded out to shortstop to bring in Paruginog to make the score 3-0 after three innings.
In the fourth inning, Carlos Macias reached base on a single and moved over to third base on a passed ball. Macias scored on an ensuing ground- out by Jose Reynoso.
Down 4-0, Bloomington got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single run.
But Luckie Waller came right back to extend its lead.
Paruginog reached base on a walk and moved up a base on a passed ball. Alec Inda drew another walked and both base runners executed a double steal to each move up one base, placing runners in scoring position at second and third bases.
Alejandro Escobar promptly singled to left to bring in Paruginog and Inda to make the score 6-1 in Luckie Waller’s favor through five innings.
Luckie Waller added one more run in the sixth inning and Bloomington scored late three runs but it wasn’t enough as the District 42 champions rode a stellar performance by Reynoso on the mound.
Reynoso pitched a complete seven-inning game with 11 strikeouts.
Luckie Waller took advantage of every opportunity it came across in the match up.
“There was key hitting by the starters and substitutes, great defensive plays to keep runners from reaching scoring position,” Luckie Waller board member Steve Loa noted. “It was a great team effort and good to see Luckie Waller back in the division tournament after a few years removed.”
Luckie Waller had to charge back from adversity to capture Sunday’s game.
District 65 champion Coast Little League scored two runs in the top first inning off Paruginog, Luckie Waller’s starting pitcher.
But Luckie Waller came back to score three runs to take the lead on a booming two-run double to center field by Ortiz.
Castillo singled home Ortiz to put Luckie Waller ahead 3-2.
Coast Little League tied the score in the next inning. However, Luckie Waller once again answered with multiple runs to retake the lead.
Reynoso reached base on a bunt single and moved up a base on an ensuing single by Inda. Both runners then advanced on a passed ball.
Macias brought in Reynoso from third base on a sacrifice fly. Alvarez reached base on a walk and Ortiz singled to bring in two more runs to make the score 6-3 in Luckie Waller’s favor after two innings.
Luckie Waller scratched out another run in the third inning to increase its lead to 7-3.
Coast Little League scored three more runs off Paruginog but Alvarez entered the game in relief to shut down the Section 1 champions for the last three-and-one-third innings.
Rancho Peñasquitos National halted Luckie Waller’s win streak with a 3-0 victory on Tuesday to advance to the division championship game. The loss dropped Luckie Waller to an elimination bracket matchup against Section 4 champion Holly Park on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to face Rancho Peñasquitos National in the title game.
Holly Park won 19-5.
Launch pad
Luckie Waller completed a 12-0 regular season before tacking on three more wins in postseason play to capture the District 42 championship banner.
Luckie Waller defeated Sweetwater Valley, 20-3, in the first game and shut out Chula Vista National, 12-0, in the second game.
Luckie Waller drew a rematch with Sweetwater Valley in the championship game, winning 20-1.
For more information, visit the Luckie Waller website at xxx and the league’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LuckieWallerLittleLeague/.
Junior League
Park View opened Section 7 play at Spring Valley Little League with an 11-1 loss to Jamul (District 41). The District 42 champions fought off elimination with a high scoring 15-13 win over that same Jamul team on Monday to advance to Tuesday’s championship game against Twin Hills (District 66) in the three-team tournament.
Twin Hills won 11-1 to eliminated Park View and advance to the Southern California District III tournament hosted by East Anaheim Little League July 21-27 at Boysen Park.
For tournament updates on all divisions, visit the website at www.eteamz.com/cad42.
California Section 7 Tournaments
10U All-Stars
Saturday, July 8
Rancho San Diego 17, Spring Valley 9
Calexico 14, Eastlake 13
Sunday, July 9
Calexico 15, Rancho San Diego 14 (winners bracket final)
Eastlake 13, Spring Valley 3 (elimination game)
Monday, July 10
Eastlake 14, Rancho San Diego 3 (elimination game)
Tuesday, July 11
Eastlake 8, Calexico 3 (challenger game)
Wednesday, July 12
Eastlake 8, Calexico 3 (championship game)
11U All-Stars
Saturday, July 8
Eastlake 13, Imperial Valley 0 (winners bracket)
Lemon Grove 11, Cajon de Oro 10 (winners bracket)
Sunday, July 9
Eastlake 13, Lemon Grove 1 (winners bracket final)
Cajon de Oro 16, Imperial Valley 1 (elimination game)
Tuesday, July 11
Cajon de Oro 10, Lemon Grove 1 (elimination game)
Saturday, July 8
Eastlake 8, Cajon de Oro 0
Tuesday, July 11
Eastlake 10, Cajon de Oro 0 (championship game)
12U All-Stars
Saturday, July 8
Eastlake 8, Cajon de Oro 0 (winners bracket)
Brawley 12, Spring Valley 1 (winners bracket)
Sunday, July 9
Eastlake 12, Brawley 0 (winners bracket final)
Cajon de Oro 12, Spring Valley 1 (elimination game)
Tuesday, July 11
Cajon de Oro 7, Brawley 6 (elimination game)
Thursday, July 13
12U All-Stars: Eastlake 13, Cajon de Oro 6 (championship game)
Junior League Division
Saturday, July 8
Jamul 11, Park View 1 (winners bracket)
Sunday, July 9
Twin Hills 13, Jamul 3 (winners bracket)
Monday, July 10
Park View 15, Jamul 13 (elimination game)
Tuesday, July 11
Twin Hills 11, Park View 1 (championship game)
Southern California Division III Tournaments
10U All-Star Division
Palmdale Little League
Friday, July 7
Fontana Community (Section 8) vs. Dos Pueblos (Section 1), 5:30 p.m.
Yucaipa (Section 9) vs. Tustin Western (Section 5), 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 22
Encino (Section 2) vs. La Verne (Section 3), 10 a.m.
Allied Gardens (Section 6) vs. Santa Margarita (Section 10), 1 p.m.
Eastlake (Section 7) vs. Fontana Communty-Dos Pueblos winner, 4 p.m.
Section 4 champion vs. Yucapia-Tustin Western winner, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 23
Winners bracket games at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Elimination games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Monday, July 24
Elimination games at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 25
Elimination games at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26
Elimination game, 5:30 p.m.
Winners bracket final, 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 27
Elimination bracket final, 7 p.m. (loser finishes third in tournament)
Saturday, July 29
Championship game, 4 p.m.
Note: double-elimination game, if needed, on Sunday, July 30, at 4 p.m.
11U All-Star Division
Upland Foothills Little League
Thursday, July 20
Section 5 champion vs. Section 2 champion, 5 p.m.
Eastlake (Section 7) 14, Aliso Viejo (Section 10) 1
Friday, July 21
Section 1 champion vs. Section 4 champion, 5 p.m.
Section 6 champion vs. Section 9 champion, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 22
Elimination game: Secrion 1-Section 4 loser vs. Section 6-Section 9 loser, 10 a.m.
Elimination game: Section 5-Section 2 loser vs. Section 7-Section 10 loser, 1p.m.
Winners bracket: Eastlake (Section 7) vs. Vineyard (Section 8), 4 p.m.
Winners bracket: Section 3 champion vs. Section 5-Section 2 winner, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 23
Elimination games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Winners bracket games at 4 and 7 p.m.
Monday, July 24
Elimination games, 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 25
Elimination game, 5 p.m.
Winners bracket final, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26
Elimination bracket final, 6 p.m. (loser finishes third in tournament)
Thursday, July 27
Championship game at 6 p.m.
Note: Double-elimination game, if needed, on Friday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m.
12U All-Star Division
Long Beach Little League
Wednesday, July 19
Santa Margarita (Section 10) 6, Goleta Valley (Section 1), 2
Northridge City (Section 2) 10, Orangecrest (Section 9) 3
Thursday, July 20
Eastlake (Section 7) 7, Rolling Hills (Section 4) 2
La Verne (Section 3) 5, Southridge (Section 8) 2
Friday, July 21
Santa Margarita (Section 10) 10, Encinitas (Section 6) 7
West Long Beach (Section 5) 11, Northridge City (Section 2) 6
Saturday, July 22
Elimination game: Goleta Valley vs. Southridge, 2 p.m.
Elimination game: Orangecrest vs. Roliing Hills. 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 23
Eastlake (Section 7) vs. Santa Margarita (Section 10), 2 p.m. (winners bracket)
La Verne (Section 3) vs. West Long Beach (Section 5), 5 p.m. (winners bracket)
Monday, July 24
Elimination games at 6 p.m.
Northridge City vs. Goleta Valley-Southridge winner
Encinitas vs. Orangecrest-Rolling Hills winner
Wednesday, July 26
Elimination games at 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 27
Elimination game at 6 p.m.
Winners bracket final at 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 28
Elimination bracket final at 4 p.m. (loser finishes third in tournament)
Sunday, July 29
Championship game at 2 p.m.
Note: Double-elimination game, if needed, on Sunday, July 30, 5 p.m.
Intermediate League 13U All-Stars
Friday, July 7
Luckie Waller 7, Bloomington 4
Sunday, July 9
Luckie Waller 7, Coast Little League 6 (winners bracket game)
Tuesday, July 11
Rancho Penasquitos National 3, Luckie Waller 0 (winners bracket final)
Wednesday, July 10
Holly Park 19, Luckie Waller 5 (elimination game)
