It’s a banner year for California District 42 Little League champions
On the road again, that’s right … the road to the Little League World Series and points elsewhere, of course.
Long and winding, and peppered with alternating episodes of disappointment and reward, that golden-bricked road started with local California District 42 all-star tournament play on June 28 and wrapped up with champions crowned in the 12U division on Sunday and Monday in the 11U and 10U divisions to send those victorious teams on their way to potential stardom.
An extra if-necessary game was required for the latter two divisions to reinforce just how competitive the district has become.
Sweetwater Valley defeated Chula Vista American, 4-1, to capture the coveted 12U all-star championship that catapults teams to South Williamsport, Pa., and the iconic Little League World Series.
The 11U and 10U divisions end in state championships but are no less prestigious. Eastlake won the 11U banner by defeating Sweetwater Valley, 4-3, while Sweetwater Valley claimed the 10U pennant with a 1-0 victory against Park View.
Sweetwater Valley led the district with three finalists and two champions.
All three D42 winners now advance to California Section 7 tournament play and, following that for teams still in contention, to Southern California regional play.
The 12U division continues play through the West region tournament encompassing champions from Southern California, Northern California, Arizona and Hawaii.
Hawaii (Central East Maui) defeated Southern California (Eastvale), 2-1, last year to punch its ticket to South Williamsport.
Southeast champion Lake Mary, Fla., won last year’s LLWS United States Division and went on to outlast International Division champion Taoyuan, Taiwan, 2-1, in eight innings, to emerge as world champions.
The tournament dates its inception to 1947 and has produced countless college and professional baseball players over that long duration. U.S. teams have won 40 LLWS banners, followed by Taiwan with 17 and Japan with 11.
California has won eight LLWS championships to pace all U.S. teams.
Park View Little League has advanced two teams to the LLWS since 2009 while Sweetwater Valley and Eastlake each have had one team advance.
Park View’s Blue Bombers made history by winning the world championship banner in 2009. Eastlake’s Golden Boys followed four years later by winning the 2013 U.S. championship while taking a runner-up finish to Japan in the final.
Sweetwater Valley’s Sluggers finished third in the U.S. Division in 2015 while Park View returned to the spotlight in 2016, winning two games there.
With four teams advancing to the LLWS in eight years, California District 42 cemented itself as a powerhouse. Interest swelled with each trip east to convert the region into a Little League stronghold.
It took 40 games across the three divisions to finally crown this year’s three champions.
District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero had a front row seat for the trifecta.
“From my perspective, and others as well, we witnessed some very exciting baseball games that we’ve ever seen in my 17 years as district administrator for Little League Baseball,” he said.
Final countdown
Sweetwater Valley finished 4-0 in the eight-team field to sweep through the 12U bracket. SVLL opened with a 7-6 win over Chula Vista National and followed that up with a 3-1 win over Park View and a 7-0 win over Chula Vista American in the winners bracket semifinal.
Chula Vista American fought its way back through the challenger bracket with a 6-4 elimination win over Eastlake.
Sweetwater Valley and Chula Vista American met for the second year in a row in the division final and the championship game came down to a late inning home run to decide the title.
“We had to compete in an extremely tough District 42 where every game was a battle,” Sweetwater Valley Little League president Joe Griffin said. “Our first two wins were true team efforts, highlighted by a walk-off hit-by-pitch from Trey Doman in Game 1, followed by lockdown defense at shortstop by Ruben Huerta and a thrilling walk-off home run by Ezekiel Winnick in Game 2.”
In the 7-0 semifinal win against Chula Vista American, Doman dominated on the mound while receiving hitting support from the rest of the team. In the championship game, Steven Carlos came up big with a three-run, go-ahead home run in the sixth inning.
The newly-minted district champions advance to the California Section 7 tournament that starts Friday in Calexico hosted by California District 22.
“After going undefeated in the District 42 tournament, I’m convinced that watching this team will continue to be thrilling,” Griffin said. “With a deep roster of confident pitchers who can each take control of a game, and a formidable lineup packed with home run threats, they are a force on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they make every play count and won’t make it easy for any opponent to get on base. We at SVLL are incredibly excited to see how far this team can go on their postseason journey!
“In speaking with manager Steve Winnick, we both agree that this team is truly something special. While their talent is undeniable, what stands out most is how they play for each other. The teamwork, trust and camaraderie they’ve built is what really sets them apart.
“Throughout this first tournament so many other players impressed with key hits, especially Cruz Dickinson, Andrew Iniguez, Ben Brown, Hedley Ludlow, Isaac Selga and Adrian Arguijo.
“Our pitching staff has been led by Trey Doman, Liam Alto, Giancarlo Perez and Adrien Rios.
“I can’t wait to see what this team can do in the section tournament.”
And potentially beyond.
Stars in their eyes
Sweetwater Valley’s 10s and Eastlake’s 11s played in Monday’s winner-take-all “if” games.
“Both games continued until the last out of the inning in an ‘edge of your seat’ contest,” Lucero aptly noted. “Sweetwater Valley and Eastlake eventually came out the winners, however, the Park View 10s and Sweetwater Valley 11s teams played with heart and never gave up,” Lucero added.
Monday’s 10U double-elimination championship game was set up when Park View defeated Sweetwater Valley, 12-1, in a run-rule four-inning contest on Sunday. Park View had previously topped Eastlake, 4-0, to advance to Sunday’s scheduled championship game while SVLL won an extra-innings thriller, 12-11, over Eastlake in the winners bracket semis to advance.
Monday’s game-winning run for SVLL came in the first inning as Deacon Preciado pitched a gem to preserve the victory. Noah Winnick’s homer finished off the extra-inning semi.
“After winning the District 42 tournament, the SVLL 10U team has proven they should never be counted out of the game,” Griffin said. “Their first two games, they jumped out to a big lead early and never relinquished it. In their game against Eastlake, the start was much different as they went down 9-1, but they battled all the way back, forcing extra innings play when Noah Winnick finished it off with a Little League home run.
“After a stunning blowout loss in the first championship game on Sunday, Deacon Preciado took the mound and pitched a gem with support by his amazing defense which resulted in a gritty 1-0 championship win.”
Monday’s 11U double-elimination championship game was set up when Sweetwater Valley won 8-3 over Eastlake with a grand slam by Tempe Tran on Sunday.
SVLL went up 3-1 in the third inning in Monday’s game but Eastlake responded as Eli Docuyanan drove in Rey Wade after hitting a double, and Jacob Sanchez and Jando Rivera drove in two more runs with sacrifice flies.
Sanchez pitched four innings and Docuyanan closed out the win with two scoreless frames.
“Eastlake Little League won the District 42 championship over Sweetwater Valley with a total team effort,” Eastlake Little League president Matt Fischer said. “Starting pitcher Jacob Sanchez pitched four innings ,allowing one earned run, and Eli Docuyanan closed the game by pitching two scoreless innings.
“After going down 3-1 in the third inning, Eastlake Little League answered Sweetwater Valley’s attack with three runs of their own. Docuyanan drove in Rey Wade after hitting a double. Sanchez and shortstop Jando Rivera drove in two more runs with sacrifice flies. In the top of the fifth, Sweetwater Valley had a runner on second with two outs and got a base hit to right. Liam Tang quickly fielded the ball and threw a perfect strike to catcher Charlie Fischer, who quickly applied the tag to stop the tying run from scoring.
“Earlier in the game, Fischer was removed from catching after getting hit in the hand by a wild pitch. Backup catcher Jayson Vale Cruz allowed no passed balls and kept Sanchez dialed in the zone. Second basemen Zack McClaskey made the final out of the game by charging a ground ball and making a perfect cross-body throw to first basemen Sebastian Gurmilan to end the game.”
Next level
Park View’s Junior Division all-star team (ages 13-14) defeated California District 66 champion Lemon Grove, 12-3, on July 6 to win the California Section 7 championship and advance to the Southern California state tournament hosted this week at Sweetwater Valley Little League.
Park View president Johnny Fuentes, manager Chris Crabb and his players opened the 10-team SoCal tourney on Wednesday with a wild 14-13 walk-off win against Section 9 champion Corona National. Games continue through July 17 (if game on July 18).
District 42 also hosted the 10-team SoCal Senior Division tournament (15-16-year-olds) that began on July 2 and was primed to conclude on Thursday (or Friday, if needed).
Lucero noted these teams, which came from different parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and Ventura counties, helped the local community grow by just not providing talented competition but also bucks at the cash register.
“These families were here for a week, contributing to our local economy by enjoying local restaurants and attractions,” Lucero said.
District 66 champion Spring Valley clinched a berth in Thursday’s championship game with a 6-2 win over La Mirada on Tuesday thanks to a three-run home run by Kaden Bedsole. Spring Valley is scheduled to face Port Hueneme in Thursday’s final after Port Hueneme eliminated La Mirada, 8-2, in Wednesday’s challenger bracket semifinal.
Spring Valley-Canyon Springs: Photos by Jon Bigornia
Little League Softball
California District 42 fielded two teams for this year’s Little League Southern California state softball tournament: 11U and 12U. The 12U team advanced to Wednesday’s championship game with wins over District 17 entrant San Marino National (6-5 on July 6) and District 24 entrant Pachappa (16-0 on July 8) to meet District 37 entrant Westchester Del Rey in the final.
Westchester Del Rey spoiled D42’s championship hopes with a 3-0 win.
The 12U tournament began with pool play.The South Bay team was included in Pool B alongside Quartz Hill (D51), East Alhambra (D18) and Apple Valley (D49). South Bay defeated Quartz Hill, 16-7, in its first pool game and tacked on 12-8 win over Apple Valley to advance to bracket play.
The 11U team played four games — two wins and two losses to reach the final four teams in the 10-team bracket.South Bay lost its opener, 9-7, to Quartz Hill to drop to the challenger bracket and recorded a 13-3 win over California District 66 entrant Lemon Grove to remain active in the tournament.
South Bay followed with a huge 171- win over Culver City but ended play in fourth place in the bracket with a 10-0 setback to Quartz Hill.
California District 66 qualified two teams for the Southern California state tournament, both from Lemon Grove.
Lemon Grove (12U) competed in Pool A alongside Westchester Dey Rey (D37), Grand Terrace (D21) and Fontana Eks (D71). Lemon Grove defeated Fontana, 11-1, but lost by the same score to Westchester. Lemon Grove did not advance to bracket play.
Lemopn Grove (11U) played two games, both losses, the first 20-1 to Hisperia American and 13-3 to South Bay in the consolation bracket.
Neither D66 or D42 had a team entered in the 10U division.
California District 42
Little League Parade of Champions
10U Division: Sweetwater Valley
11U Division: Eastlake
12U Division: Sweetwater Valley
Intermediate Division: Eastlake
Junior Division: Park View
Senior Division: Eastlake
If it fits, wear it … Sweetwater Valley 12U champs. Photo by Jon Bigornia
California District 42 Little League All-Star Scoreboard
12U Division
Opening Round
Saturday, June 28
At Eastlake Little League: Eastlake 12, South Bay 2
At Eastlake Little League: Chula Vista American 15, Luckie Waller 1
At Park View Little League: Park View 8, Imperial Beach 1
At Park View Little League: Sweetwater Valley 7, Chula Vista National 6
Second Round
Winners Bracket
Sunday, June 29
At Eastlake Little League:Chula Vista American 4, Eastlake 2
At Park View Little League: Sweetwater Valley 3, Park View 1
Consolation Bracket
Sunday, June 29
At Eastlake Little League: South Bay 14, Luckie Waller 4
Monday, June 30
At Imperial Beach Little League: Imperial Beach defeated Chula Vista National by disqualification
Third Round
Consolation Bracket
Tuesday, July 1
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View 24, South Bay 1
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Eastlake 9, Imperial Beach 1
Winners Bracket Semifinal
Wednesday, July 2
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 7, Chula Vista American 0
Note: Sweetwater Valley advances to championship game
Fourth Round
Consolation Bracket
Thursday, July 3
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Eastlake 13, Park View 1
Fifth Round
Consolation Bracket Semifinal
Saturday, July 5
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Chula Vista American 6, Eastlake 4
Note: Chula Vista American advances to championship game
Championship Game
Sunday, July 6
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 4, Chula Vista American 1
Note: Sweetwater Valley wins district title, advances to California Section 7 tournament hosted by California District 22 Calexico July 11-14 (if necessary game on July 15)
11U Division
Opening Round
Saturday, June 28
At Eastlake Little League: Southwest 3, Imperial Beach 2
At Park View Little League: Park View 10, Sweetwater Valley 6
Second Round
Winners Bracket
Sunday, June 29
At Eastlake Little League: Eastlake 12, Southwest 2
At Park View Little League: Park View 6, Chula Vista American 0
Consolation Bracket
Tuesday, July 1
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 10, Southwest 0
At Chula Vista American Little League: Chula Vista American 11, Imperial Beach 0
Third Round
Consolation Bracket
Thursday, July 3
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 6, Chula Vista American 3
Winners Bracket Semifinal
Wednesday, July 2
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Eastlake 11, Park View 2
Fourth Round
Consolation Bracket Semifinal
Saturday, July 5
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 6, Park View 4
Fifth Round
Double-Elimination Round
Sunday, July 6
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 8, Eastlake 3
Championship Game
Monday, July 7
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Eastlake 4, Sweetwater Valley 3
Note: Eastlake wins district title, advances to California Section 7 tournament hosted by California District 41 Fletcher Hiller Little League July 10-16.
10U Division
Opening Round
Saturday, June 28
At Eastlake Little League: Chula Vista American 14, Imperial Beach 0
At Eastlake Little League: Sweetwater Valley 15, Luckie Waller 0
At Park View Little League: Eastlake 17, South Bay 7
At Park View Little League: Park View 30, Southwest 0
Second Round
Sunday, June 29
Winners Bracket
At Park View Little League: Sweetwater Valley 9, Chula Vista American 5
At Eastlake Little League: Eastlake 7, Park View 5
Consolation Bracket
At Park View Little League: Imperial Beach 9, Luckie Waller 4
At Eastlake Little League: South Bay 21, Southwest 1
Third Round
Consolation Bracket
Tuesday, July 1
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View 18, Imperial Beach 1
At Chula Vista American Little League: Chula Vista American 18, South Bay 0
Fourth Round
Winners Bracket Semifinal
Wednesday, July 2
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 12, Eastlake 11
Note: Sweetwater Valley advances to championship game
Fifth Round
Consolation Bracket
Thursday, July 3
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View 6, Chula Vista American 3
Sixth Round
Consolation Bracket Semifinal
Saturday, July 5
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View 4, Eastlake 0
Note: Park View advances to championship game
Seventh Round
Double-Elimination Game
Sunday, July 6
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View 12, Sweetwater Valley 1
Championship Game
Monday, July 7
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Sweetwater Valley 1, Park View 0
Note: Sweetwater Valley wins district title, advances to California Section 7 tournament hosted by District 42 Sweetwater Valley Little League July 12-15 (if necessary game July 16)
California Section 7 Little League Scoreboard
Senior Division
Spring Valley Little League hosted the three-team tournament between District 66 (Spring Valley), District 41 (Mountain Empire) and District 42 (Eastlake).
Tuesday, June 24: Eastlake 7, Mountain Empire 6
Wednesday, June 25: Spring Valley 15, Eastlake 0
Thursday, June 26: Eastlake 7, Mountain Empire 2
Friday, June 27: Spring Valley 17, Eastlake 3
Note: Spring Valley wins section championship game, advances to Southern California tournament
Intermediate Division
Park View Little League hosted the championship game between Eastlake (District 42) and Rancho de Oro (District 41) on Saturday, June 28 in the teams’ best-of-three series.
Wednesday, June 25: Eastlake 12, Rancho de Oro 4
Saturday, June 28: Eastlake 7, Rancho de Oro 1
Note: Eastlake wins section title, advances to Southern California tournament
Junior Division
Spring Valley Little League and Alpine American Little League hosted the four-team tournament between District 66 champion Lemon Grove, District 41 champion Alpine American, District 42 champion Park View and District 22 champion Yuma.
Tuesday, July 1
At Alpine American Little League: District 42 (Park View) 10, District 41 (Alpine American) 3
At Spring Valley Little League: District 22 (Yuma) 4, Lemon Grove (District 66) 3
Wednesday, July 2
At Spring Valley Little League: District 66 (Lemon Grove) 8, District 41 (Alpine American) 1 (losers bracket game)
Thursday, July 3
At Spring Valley Little League: District 42 (Park View) 3, District 22 (Yuma) 2 (winners bracket semifinal)
Saturday, July 5
At Spring Valley Little League: District 66 (Lemon Grove) 7, District 22 (Yuma) 6 (losers bracket final)
Sunday, July 6
At Spring Valley Little League: District 42 (Park View) 12, District 66 (Lemon Grove) 3 (championship game)
Note: Park View Little League wins section title, advances to Southern California tournament at Sweetwater Valley Little League and Greg Rogers Park July 9-17 (if necessary game July 18)
Southern California Tournaments
SENIOR DIVISION
Wednesday, July 2
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Spring Valley (District 66) 4, Canyon Springs 1
Saturday, July 5
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Fontana Elks 5, Canyon Springs 3 (losers bracket)
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Spring Valley 10. Chino American 0 (winners bracket)
Sunday, July 6
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Spring Valley (District 66) 8, North Venice 5 (winners bracket)
Tuesday, July 8
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Spring Valley (District 66) 6, La Mirada 2 (winner advances to Thursday’s championship game)
Wednesday, July 9
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Port Hueneme 8, La Mirada 2 (winner advances to Thursday’s championship game)
Thursday, July 10
Championship game: Spring Valley vs. Port Hueneme
Note: 10-team tournament continues through July 10 (if game on July 11)
Entered teams: East Anaheim, Fontana Elks, La Mirada, Peninsula, Port Hueneme, Canyon Springs, Spring Valley, Chino American
JUNIOR DIVISION
Wednesday, July 9
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View (Section 7) 14, Corona National (Section 9) 13
Saturday, July 12
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View (Section 7) vs. San Marino National (Section 2), 10 a.m.
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Corona National vs. Viejo (Section 10)-East Hills Yorba Linda loser, 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 13
At Sweetwater Valley Little League: Park View-San Marino National winner vs. Moorpark-North Venice winner, 10 a.m.
Note: 10-team tournament extends through July 17 (if game on July 18)
Entered teams: Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, East Hills Yorba Linda, Section 6, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 10
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
Tuesday, July 2
At Rancho Penasquitos Little League: Eastlake (District 42) 10, North Venice 8
Saturday, July 5
At Rancho Penasquitos Little League: Scripps Ranch 20, Eastlake 1 (winners bracket)
Sunday, July 6
At Rancho Penasquitos Little League: Santa Anita 10, Eastlake 5 (losers bracket)
California District 66 Little League Scoreboard
12U Division
Double-Elimination Bracket
June 30: Lemon Grove 3, Spring Valley 2 (opening game)
July 1: Encanto 8, San Diego American 3 (opening game)
July 2: Encanto 7, Lemon Grove 6 (winners bracket semifinal)
July 3: San Diego American 12, Spring Valley 6 (losers bracket)
July 5: Lemon Grove 7, San Diego American 1 (losers bracket semifinal)
July 6: Encanto 14, Lemon Grove 4 (championship game
Note: Encanto wins district title, advances to Southern California Section 7 tournament hosted by California District 22 Imperial Valley July 10-16.
11U Division
Double-Elimination Bracket
June 30: Spring Valley 15, Twin Hills 0 (opening game)
July 1: Las Palmas 3, Lemon Grove 2 (opening game)
July 2: Spring Valley 12, Las Palmas 8 (winners bracket semifinal)
July 3: Lemon Grove 16, Twin Hills 3 (losers bracket)
July 5: Lemon Grove 11, Las Palmas 7 (losers bracket semifinal)
July 6: Spring Valley 8, Lemon Grove 7 (championship game)
Note: Spring Valley wins district title, advances to Southern California Section 7 tournament hosted by California District 41 Fletcher Hills Little League July 10-16.
10U Division
Double-Elimination Bracket
June 24: Encanto 2, Valley de Oro 0 (opening game)
June 26: Spring Valley 13, Lemon Grove 1 (opening game)
June 28: Spring Valley 5, Encanto 4 (winners bracket)
June 28: Valley de Oro 7, Lemon Grove 6 (losers bracket)
June 30: Valley De Oro 5, Encanto 1 (losers bracket semifinal)
July 2: Spring Valley vs. Valley de Oro 7, Spring Valley 3 (double-elimination game)
July 5: Spring Valley 14, Valley de Oro 4 (championship game)
Note: Spring Valley wins district title, advances to Siuthern California Section 7 tournament hosted by California District 42 South Bay July 10-16
Junior Division
Double-Elimination Bracket
June 14: Lemon Grove 14, Spring Valley 3 (opening game)
June 14: Encanto 6, San Diego American 4 (opening game)
June 16: Lemon Grove 6, Encanto 5 (winners bracket semifinal)
June 17: Spring Valley 16, San Diego American 5 (losers bracket)
June 18: Spring Valley 16, Encanto 7 (losers bracket semifinal)
June 21: Lemon Grove 4, Spring Valley 2 (championship game)
Note: Lemon Grove wins district title, advances to Southern California Section 7 tournament hosted by California District 66 July 1-7
Senior Division
Double-Elimination Bracket
June 19: Spring Valley 12, Encanto 2
June 21: Spring Valley 4, Encanto 2
Note: Spring Valley wins district title (best-of-three series), advances to Southern California Section 7 tournament hosted by District 66 June 24-30.
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