The Scotts Valley Little League AAA Braves completed a stunning playoff run by beating the Padres 8-7 in the youth baseball championship game May 21 at Siltanen Park in Scotts Valley.
The Braves finished fifth (out of six teams) in the regular season standings and won four straight games against the top four teams to capture the Little League AAA championship.
The championship game started out as a pitcher’s duel with Brody Call and Lucas Nygaard holding the Padres to one run in the first three innings. David Lukina, Colin Kramer and Jaden Qian made some timely defensive plays to help hold the Padres’ offense in check.
The Braves’ offense erupted for four runs in the fifth inning behind hits by Hulu Tong, John Watson, Theo Emmert and Bennett Call.
The Padres mounted a comeback in their half of the fifth to tie the game at 7. Ronan Asuncion made a key catch and tag to get the final out of the inning on a runner trying to steal third base to keep the game tied.
The Braves scored one run in the top half of the sixth inning behind key at bats by Brody Call and Sebastian Tate. Braves closer, David Lukina, came in for a 1-2-3 final inning behind two strikeouts.
Braves players and coaches stormed the field to celebrate the win after Lucas Nygaard secured the final out on a pop up to him at shortstop.
The Braves will represent Scotts Valley Little League in the Minor Division Tournament of Champions (TOC) starting on Sunday, June 9. The Braves will face off against the winner of San Lorenzo Valley Little League at 4pm at Live Oak Little League, 966 Bostwick Lane, in Santa Cruz.
