11/12's MAKE HISTORY AND TAKE THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP OVER LONG BEACH, 8-1.
For only the second time in LVLL's 55-year history, the Majors all star team won the District championship (last: 1999), and they did it in dominating fashion. Mondesi Blanchard started for the Villagers and did not allow a hit out of the infield, and made a sweet pump fake play to pick off a runner while Long Beach was threatening in the third inning. He struck out 7 in 4-2/3 innings, and worked around 4 hits, two walks, and one hit by pitch to hand off the game to Ian Konek, who got the last four outs for the championship. Facing perhaps the hardest throwing pitcher in the area, the boys once again were equal to the task, with every single player reaching base, including the first run-scoring hit from TC Johnson (who had two hits), a huge 3-run home run from Tiger Jablonski, who gave Lakewood Village a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning, and run-scoring hits from Matthew Fields and Ian Konek. All in all, this team hit .467 for the district tournament, slugged .847 (that is an amazing number, by the way), and gave up a mere 4 runs in 4 games. This group of kids won the 9/10, 10/11, and 11/12 year old all star tournaments, something that nobody else in our Section can claim. ...and speaking of the section, Lakewood Village will take on the District 56 champion Yorba Hills team at Fullerton Sports Complex (560 E. Silver Pine St., Fullerton) in the first round of sectionals on Saturday at 1pm.
This team... is something else. After Tiger struck out in the first inning, he stated bluntly that "he sucks" and "always strikes out". The next at-bat he homered off of the biggest, baddest pitcher in the district. Ripper was tearing up after having (gasp!) two straight at bats without reaching base, and the very next at bat he singled home our final two runs. Justin (Tips) got off of a plane from France early this morning and got the walk that led to Tiger's home run. Doctor totally flubbed a sinking liner hit to him and second base and recovered--quickly!--to still throw the guy out at first. Josh Fischer looks overmatched in striking out twice, but still manages to get on base via two walks, scoring our first run. And all the while, the guys have to be reminded to watch the game while their teammates are batting. And, the victory pileup after the game? Well, there wasn't one. There was sort of a post-ironic couple of gloves flung in the air and goofy laughing and blank stares when talk of history was brought up. That's this group!
This group is also:
CHAMPIONS! (Whether they care or not!)
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! These guys are so awesome! I love this! I went home with the biggest smile on my face last night and I saw a few other huge smiles on the field as well. Its funny, how quickly it is to get used to all of this winning stuff. I mean, it's the first time I've followed a Little League team and like you mentioned, it's the third year in row that we've taken the district title. I'm spoiled! I'm ruined. It's like experiencing my first Guinness in Ireland, it's a very heady feeling and nothing is ever like it again. So, while I sit and marvel in pride, at the well deserved accomplishments of the Lakewood Village All Stars (for all three years)I'm so ready for what comes next. Go Lakewood Village!
ReplyDelete