Scotts Valley Little League’s Red Sox capped off another remarkable season by winning the Majors Division Championship, securing both the regular season title and playoff tournament championship for the second consecutive year.
The road to the title was anything but easy.
After suffering a loss to the Blue Jays on May 16, the Red Sox faced elimination and needed to win three games in four nights to capture the championship in the league’s double-elimination playoff format.
The Red Sox began their playoff comeback on May 18 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over the Pirates to keep their season alive and advance to the championship series against the Blue Jays.
The championship series began on May 21 with the Red Sox needing a win to force a deciding final game. Behind a dominant pitching performance and timely hitting, the Red Sox earned an 8-1 victory to even the series and set up a winner-takes-all championship game.
Ace pitcher Jack Van Every led the way on the mound, throwing four strong innings while allowing just one run and striking out nine batters. The offense was fueled by key hits from Travers Pentin and Weston McWilliams. Sebastian Tate delivered a critical walk in the fourth inning to extend an important rally, while Evan Wong made two outstanding catches in right field during the sixth inning to help secure the victory.
The win set up the championship finale on Thursday night, where the Red Sox came out swinging early. The team exploded for seven runs in the first inning and never looked back, defeating the Blue Jays, 11-6, to clinch the title.
David Lukina delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching five innings while striking out five batters and walking just two. He also contributed offensively, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a ground-rule double and a walk.
Lucas Nygaard continued the offensive momentum, finishing 2-for-2 with two key RBIs while also playing stellar defense in center field. Jonathan Kotecki anchored the infield at third base with several impressive defensive plays that helped keep the Blue Jays offense in check.
Harry Elliot and Jack Ritchie added key hits throughout the game to keep the lineup moving, with Ritchie driving in two runs. Ethan Bailey delivered one of the biggest moments of the game with a three-run double during the explosive first inning. Bailey also closed out the championship on the mound, recording the final three outs in the sixth inning to secure the Red Sox victory.
With the championship win, the Red Sox will now represent Scotts Valley Little League in the District 39 Tournament of Champions. Their first game will take place against San Lorenzo Valley Little League on June 7 at 10am at the Live Oak Little League Fields at Green Acres Elementary School in Santa Cruz.
