The San Lorenzo Valley Minors Cardinals were forced to take the long way through the Tournament of Champions when they lost their opener to Scotts Valley, 10-0. However, they rebounded with a win over Capitola-Soquel, 9-2.
Two days later, the Cardinals won a dramatic game against the Aptos Pirates, 8-6. They then shut out San Juan Aromas, 10-0, and surged to a 12-4 win over Santa Cruz National.
They then faced a rematch with Scotts Valley, where they led at one point but eventually fell, 7-6. Their tournament ended with a 4-2 record.
“The SLV Minors Cardinals were battle-tested and hardened by the end of the week,” said manager Jeff Auldridge. “Our second game against Scotts Valley showed how far our team came in a week. I was proud to coach such a talented and great group of players.”
Majors Red Sox run ends in TOC
The Majors Red Sox went into the Tournament of Champions winners of four straight “must-win” games to capture a league title.
Then they again faced “must-wins” after falling to Watsonville American, 5-1, in the first round of the double-elimination tournament.
They regrouped and outlasted San Juan Aromas, 9-8. Two days later, they beat Scotts Valley 11-9 on a walk-off home run by Keenan Neu. The next night, they beat Aptos 7-6 in another nailbiter.
Then they faced Santa Cruz National and came back from an 8-5 deficit — thanks to another bomb from Neu — to tie the game. But they eventually lost, 11-9.
The team was helped by solid pitching from Jared Trader, Bryce Nunes, Nolan Jameson and Jackson Turner.
Scotts Valley Little League
With the Tournament of Champions ongoing for the Scotts Valley teams, the league announced its all-stars.
11-year-olds
Eric Bereaut
Eli Bjorklund
Ethan Emmanuelson
Travis Lane
Gregory Neiger
Seth O’Brien
Cooper Rains
Georgia Parsons
Trevor Ponos
Robert Reimer
Tate Smith
Jacob Utic
10-year-olds
Nicholas Alvarez
David Coats
Mitchell Gasper
Jack Kastner
Anthony Locatelli
Reilly Merlo
Joe Murray
Nathan Pisciotta
Kyle Raymond
Connor Santos
Daniel Shamshoian
Carson Spence
Jaspar Stemm
Dylan Townley
9-year-olds
Ryan Bariteau
Vincent Bereaut
Henry Danner
Garrett Fisher
Shane Ford
Garrett Hormel
Ben Leaus
Erik Olson
Zach Snider
Zach Washburn
Trevor Wiechmann
Connor Wilson
8-year-olds
Anthony Abruzzini
Nicholas Andres
Soren Burns
Shane Burns
Bryce Clark
Casey Collins
Dillon Danner
Phillip Garrison
Bryce Gunderson
Jordan Olhava
Angelo Segretto
Kyle Smith
