Adam Villarreal had quite an eventful ride last summer as manager of Eastlake Little League’s 12U all-star team, advancing just short of qualifying for the West Region tournament in San Bernardino.
He’s starting the cycle all over again as manager of the league’s 10U all-star team.
It could be another eventful summer for Villarreal after Eastlake defeated Park View, 11-0, last Saturday to capture this year’s California District 42 championship title.
Next stop for the district’s newly crowned 10U all-stars: the California Section 7 tournament July 14-18 in Calexico.
“Happy to start all over with the little guys,” Villarreal said. “They’re a great bunch.”
Eastlake won all four of its games to claim this year’s district banner.
Eastlake defeated Park View, 9-4, in its tournament opener on June 30, then followed with a 4-1 win over Sweetwater Valley on July 1.
Eastlake topped Chula Vista American, 8-6, in the winners bracket final on July 5 to advance to last Saturday’s championship game.
The first two games were played at Park View Little League while the last two games were played at Sweetwater Valley Little League.
Noah Flores pitched a complete game shutout in the championship game, allowing two hits over four innings while striking out five batters and failing to issue a base on balls.
Josh Alo went three-for-three at the plate to lead the team with hits.
“Our championship game against Park View was a great team victory,” Villarreal stressed. “Starting with our starting pitcher Noah Flores, he has led this team with his pitching and defense. Our offense has been kick-started by Josh Alo, Armando Mendivil and Noah Cook. Many other players are finding ways to contribute, whether its pinch-hitting, pinch-running or on defense. It’s a great group of kids and they’re building great chemistry.”
Eastlake’s championship team roster is rounded out by Hamza Hatahet, Jake Serrano, Reece Escuro, Angel Velarde, Landon Holtzapple, King California, Ryan Ferman, Luke Boliguen and Dominick Martinez.
Tom Alo and Chris Holtzapple assist Villarreal as team coaches.
“I’m really proud of these coaches and players,” acting Eastlake Little League President Ronnie Pietila-Wiggs explained. “This is a fun little team to watch, they are having a great time playing baseball and display excellent sportsmanship. I am excited to have these players and coaching staff represent Eastlake Little League.”
Eastlake repeats as District 42 champions after defeating Sweetwater Valley, 13-0, last year en route to a runner-up finish in the Division III tournament.
This year’s Section 7 champion advances to the Division III tournament July 21-29 in Corona.
That is the farthest this age group can advance, which would equate to the Southern California state championship.
Eastlake lost, 8-6, to Section 10 champion Santa Margarita in last year’s Division III championship game to cap a highly successful 12-3 summer showing.
Park View finished 3-2 at this year’s district tournament.
Park View won three elimination games to rematch with Eastlake in the title game, defeating Sweetwater Valley, 12-1, on July 3 and then besting Imperial Beach, 9-3, on July 5.
Park View eliminated Chula Vista American, 12-7, in last Friday’s challenger bracket final.
Park View’s all-star roster included J.P. Conero, Aaron Cordero, Andres Cordero, Danny Cardoso, Aidan Galicia, Lorenzo Harros, Elijah Perez, Tyler Maula, Adrian Figueroa, Mike Ruiz and Isaac Martinez.
Mike Ruiz served as team manager while coaches included Sergio Harros and Oscar Cordero.
California District 42 Little League
Championship Game Rosters
10U DIVISION
Eastlake Little League
Players: Josh Alo, Noah Flores, Noah Cook, Armando Mendivil, Hamza Hatahet, Jake Serrano, Reece Escuro, Angel Velarde, Landon Holtzapple, King California, Ryan Ferman, Luke Boliguen and Dominick Martinez
Manager: Adam Villarreal
Coaches: Tom Alo, Chris Holtzapple
Park View Little League
Players: J.P. Conero, Aaron Cordero, Andres Cordero, Danny Galicia, Lorenzo Harros, Elijah Perez, Tyler Maula, Adrian Figueroa, Mike Ruiz, Isaac Martinez
Manager: Mike Ruiz
Coaches: Sergio Harros, Oscar Cordero
California District 42 Little League
Championship Scoreboard
10U Division
Games of June 30:
Eastlake 9, Park View 4
Luckie Waller 7, South Bay 3
Chula Vista American 12, Imperial Beach 4
Games of July 1:
Eastlake 4, Sweetwater Valley 1
Chula Vista American 21, Luckie Waller 1
Games of July 3:
Imperial Beach 12, Luckie Waller 6 (6 innings)
Park View 12, Sweetwater Valley 1 (4 innings)
Games of July 5:
Eastlake 8, Chula Vista American 6 (Eastlake advances to championship game)
Park View 9, Imperial Beach3 (Park View advances to challenger bracket final)
Games of July 6:
Park View 13, Chula Vista American 7 (challenger bracket final)
Games of July 7:
Eastlake 11, Park View 0 (championship game)
Photo Gallery by Jon Bigornia
Eastlake remains alive in Intermediate 50/70 League Division III tournament
District 42 Intermediate League champion Eastlake won two of its opening three games at the Southern California Division III tournament in Ventura to remain in championship contention.
In games last Saturday, Eastlake defeated Section 9 champion Corona, 13-1, but dropped a 5-3 decision to Section 3 champion Upland on Monday.
Eastlake defeated Section 1 champion Coast Little League, 11-4, in an elimination game on Tuesday to advance to Thursday’s elimination game against Section 4 champion Harbor City, needing one win to advance to Saturday’s challenger bracket final.
Thursday’s result
Harbor City (Section 4), 10, Eastlake (Section 7) 5
Note: Eastlake eliminated
