A fourth team from California District 42 Little League in a seven-year span has advanced to familiar territory: the Little League World Series West Regional tournament – the final jumping-off point to the iconic Little League World Series.
Park View Little League, which started the district’s magical run in 2009, punched a return ticket to the western regional championship by defeating Redondo Beach Little League, 11-8, in Sunday’s Southern California Division III championship series.
Park View captured the best-of-three divisional championship series two games to none after previously posting a 6-0 shutout victory over the same Redondo Beach team the previous day.
Park View opens play in the elite western regional tournament on Sunday, Aug. 7, with a game against Northern California champion Vacaville.
Teams from Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii are also entered in the six-team regional tourney.
The Green Machine, as Park View players call themselves, hopes it can continue down the road to the Little League World Series.
“From the start of the season, we’ve been preparing the boys for something big like this,” Park View manager Jorge Camarillo explained.
First-year Park View Little League President Johnny Fuentes has obviously been swept up by the team’s string of accomplishments.
“This is my first year as league president and I didn’t think it would turn out so big,” Fuentes explained. “I’m very proud, honored and humble … I can’t think of any other word to describe this. I’m very proud of the boys, the coaching staff and our board – all the efforts of everyone that has gone into making this season so successful.”
Park View fans began cheering during pregame player introductions and never really stopped after that.
Redondo Beach placed a runner at second base to start the game but Park View starter Daniel Leon stranded him there.
The District 42 and Section 7 champions continued to ride the momentum of a six-game winning streak, including a 6-0 showing in elimination games, by scoring three runs in their half of the first inning. Ali Camarillo drew a lead-off walk and advanced to third on a base hit by Lucas Marrujo. Cachorro Lizarraga then followed with another base hit to score the game’s first run. Marrujo scored on an errant throw home to plate a second run.
Adam Amaro drew a walk to place runners at first and second bases. Jonluke Hobdy entered the game as a special pinch runner for Amaro. Adriel Colmenero lined to shortstop for the first out of the inning but an ensuing passed ball allowed both base runners to move up. Anthony Soto received credit for an RBI on a force play and Leon followed with an infield single to increase Park View’s lead to 4-0.
Padilla doubled off the right-center field fence to place runners at the corners but a groundout finally ended the frame as Park View sent all nine players to the plate.
Marrujo homered in the second inning to extend Park View’s lead to 5-0.
The offense by both teams was just getting started, however.
Redondo Beach responded in the top of the third inning with two home runs off Leon, including a two-run shot that narrowed the Park View lead to 5-3.
The newly crowned Southern California Sub-Division III South champions had an answer for that as Colmenero homered to lead off the bottom of the third inning. Soto followed with a double to knock out Redondo Beach’s starting pitcher and later advanced to third base on a groundout. Padilla followed with another ground-out but Santiago Garcia delivered a key two-out single to center field to score Park View’s second run in the inning and increase its lead to 7-3.
Camarillo then strode up to the plate and calmly deposited a pitch over the left field fence for a home run to extend the Park View lead to 9-3.
Redondo Beach made the score 9-4 on a home run in the top of the fifth inning but Lizarraga responded in the bottom half of the frame with a two-run home run – Park View’s third round-tripper of the game – to boost the lead to 11-4.
Down to its final three outs, Redondo Beach faced a new Park View pitcher as Leon neared the maximum pitch count. Camarillo took over for Leon and got a quick first out on a fly-out. But a base hit, walk, fly-out to deep center field, base hit and three-run home run quickly reduced the once sizable Park View lead to three runs.
But with one out to play with, the odds were still stacked against a miraculous Redondo Beach comeback.
Marrujo came on in relief to strike out the next Redondo Beach batter for the game’s final out.
A dog pile ensued between the pitcher’s mound and first base as Park View players celebrated their hard-fought victory – and seventh consecutive win in post-season all-star play.
In the process, Park View extended its record to 14-2 and increased its home run count to 55 in 16 games.
“We were just trying to play our best,” explained Marrujo, who has eight home runs in all-star play this summer and rapped out three runs and scored three runs in Sunday’s climactic division-clinching victory. “I’m just excited to play in the next round (western regionals),”
“We’ve got to stick together and keep fighting,” Soto noted. “It’s crazy that we’re going to regionals. We’ve just got to take it one game at a time.”
The Park View manager remains optimistic about the next step and confident in the ability of his team.
“We prepared for this tournament, we worked hard,” Jorge Camarillo explained. “We got some support to help us. I tell the kids that we’re not just a 14-member team. Our 15th player is our fans.
“I think togetherness is our biggest asset. The kids root for each other. Even if they don’t start, they each know their roles. Everyone shares one goal, and that is to win games.”
So, is there really something in the water in South County that accounts for the recent success?
The Park View manager said the simple belief that any team from the district can accomplish the feat of reaching the Little League World Series has generated waves of confidence.
“I tip my hat to the 2009 Park View team, the 2013 Eastlake Little League team and last year’s Sweetwater Valley Little League team,” the elder Camarillo said. “They opened our eyes. Now everyone in the South Bay knows the Little League World Series is reachable.”
Fuentes said the push goes forward.
“The boys are more motivated and excited than ever before,” the PVLL president explained. “A little luck is with us, and God is answering our prayers. Whatever the outcome, these boys will always have a special place in Park View’s heart. It’s been an exciting road to ride. Way to go PV…LL!!!”
Park View 6, Redondo Beach 0
Park View hit three home runs – one each by Lizarraga, Colmenero and Padilla – and rapped out 11 hits. On the mound, Lizarraga hurled a complete game one-hitter with nine strikeouts.
Final word
District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero certainly knows the way to San Bernardino after three previous trips to the regional tournament site.
Lucero said he is proud of the district’s latest team to make the trek.
“The team never panicked and showed great determination,” he explained. “They worked very hard and, as a result, will now proudly represent Southern California in the San Bernardino Western Region tournament.”
Lucero concurred the support from the team’s “15th player” has been critical to itssuccess.
“That 15th player represents the parents, families and friends of these amazing ball players,” Lucero said. “From the time they take the field until the last out of the game, they constantly cheer on the players in a positive manner. With this demonstration of support and positivity, the players perform at their highest and best level.
“Kudos to manager Jorge Camarillo and his coaching staff for their calm, progressive and encouraging coaching style. Even when a player makes an error, they don’t panic and only offer encouragement. I have no doubt that this kind of approach to coaching has helped take this team to where it is today. On top of that style of coaching, the top talent, skill and discipline that these kids show is just amazing for 12-year-old boys.
“I always get asked how it’s possible that one of our nine leagues in California District 42 seems to always be in the running to make the trip to Western Region in San Bernardino and then to Williamsport. I believe it was the 2009 Park View Little League team that set the tone for all of us in San Diego County.
“Prior to 2009, it seemed that Southern California was always represented by teams from the Los Angeles area in San Bernardino and Williamsport. However, the 2009 Park View championship made going to Williamsport real for this community. The confirmation for kids after that great accomplishment was that any team from our area could strive to be the best, make it all the way to Williamsport, and come home with the championship title.
“It was a great honor for all of us (2009 Park View Little League team) to meet the President of the United States at the White House, where he recognized this great accomplishment. The 2013 United States champion Eastlake team and the 2015 Sweetwater Valley Little League team only reinforced that going to Williamsport is, in fact, real.”
Southern California Division III
championship series:
Game 1: Park View 6, Redondo Beach 0
Game 2: Park View 11, Redondo Beach 8
Note: Park View advances to Little League World Series West Region tournament
Little League Baseball
2016 West Region Championship
Aug. 7-13, San Bernardino
Sunday, Aug. 7
Hawaii vs. Nevada, 8:30 a.m.
Northern California vs. Southern California, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 8
Utah vs. Hawaii-Nevada winner, 11:30 a.m.
Arizona vs. Northern California-Southern California winner, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Elimination games, 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 10
Elimination game, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 11
Winners bracket final, 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 12
Challenger bracket final, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 13
Championship game, 6 p.m.
