In a battle of unbeatens, the 12-and-under Encino Little League team (6-0) defeated Crescenta Valley (5-1) in a 14-3 mercy victory.
Even though Crescenta Valley has averaged scoring more than 14 runs, while only giving up 1.6 runs a game, Encino was unphased. Encino got out to a quick start scoring nine runs in the first inning.
"It all went well because of the first inning," said Seth Stone. "We got a bunch of runs, and we don't like giving them back, so we stayed in there and kept hitting."
Encino did just that. The 14 runs they scored in this game were more than the 11 runs Crescenta Valley had given up in their previous five games combined.
Stone smashed four RBI's, including his second homer in three games, scored two runs and also won the pitching decision. Jamie Robertson hit two RBI's, scored twice and picked up the save after not pitching in a month. Blake Hanson hit a two-run homer. Grant Berman belted two RBI's. Jack Scher scored three runs and Shawn Goosenberg added two more. Cameron Bolger, Mike Cohen and Justin Greenwald each drove in one RBI. Bolger, Cohen, Greenwald and Elijah West all scored once.
Encino will host the Section 2 championship game at 5 p.m. Tuesday. If they win, they will become one of 10 teams in all of Southern California to qualify for the Southern California Divisional Tournament. If Encino loses, they would still have a chance to clinch a spot in the divisional tournament on Wednesday.
Sectional Tournament Schedule (All Games at Encino):
5 - Cresenta Valley vs Pasadena (elim.) (7/18) 5 p.m.
6 - Encino vs Winner 5 (championship) (7/19) 5 p.m.
7 - If necessary (7/20) 5 p.m.
14-Year-Olds Just as Hot
The 14-and-under team is also one win away from advancing to the Southern California Divisional Tournament. They defeated San Marino 14-4 on Saturday and Tehachapi 6-1 on Sunday. They will play in the championship game at Tehachapi Little League on Tuesday.
