The San Lorenzo Valley Little League Majors Red Sox defeated the Phillies in two consecutive games to win the second-half championship and a berth in the regional Tournament of Champions
Red Sox 7, Phillies 3
In a game to decide the second-half championship, the Phillies’ led 2-0 on runs that scored on passed balls.
But the Red Sox had won three straight to extend the season and did not give up. The Sox scored one run in the third inning when Keenan Neu stole home, but the Phillies led 3-1 going into the sixth.
Then, Jared Trader led off with a single for the Red Sox and was followed by Neu’s single and a double by Hans Suwinski to tie the game. Mike La Capria walked, and with two outs, Tomas Moore walked and Ian MacDonnell doubled in two runs. Trader batted again and singled in another run.
Bryce Nunes came on in the bottom of the sixth to get the save for the Sox.
For the Phillies, D’Shawn Hopkins struck out 10 in five innings while going 3-for-3 at the plate. Matt Robustelli went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
The game forced a playoff between champions of the first half — the Phillies — and the Red Sox that was played on Saturday, June 12.
Red Sox 14, Phillies 1
The Red Sox carried their momentum from the second-half championship game and started quickly. Trader walked with two outs in the first, and Neu followed with a home run to left field.
The Red Sox scored seven runs in the third, putting the game out of reach. In the inning, Hans Suwinski hit a one-out home run to deep center. La Capria followed with a single, Ben Yatson singled and Neu had two hits in the inning.
The Sox added three more in the fifth on La Capria’s single and Jackson Turner’s single.
Nunes struck out seven for the Sox in the win.
The Red Sox go on to represent SLV Little League in the District 39 Tournament of Champions this week.
