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Little League All-Stars: Rincon 9-11, Nogales 8-10 state champs; Juniors Softball West Regional to start at Arthur Pack

By Javier Morales

Posted on July 22, 2022

*Nogales 8-10 and Rincon 9-11 take home the championship banners and trophies (Nogales LL and Rincon LL photos)*

STATE CHAMPIONS: WEST REGION ASSIGNMENTS

Nogales 8-10 Baseball (no regional for this age group)
Rincon 9-11 Baseball (no regional for this age group)
Sunnyside 50/70 Baseball: Nogales Host Team (Nogales: July 22-28)
Nogales Juniors Baseball (Bend, Oregon: Aug. 3-11)
Nogales Seniors Baseball (Oakland: July 20-27)
Thornydale Juniors Softball: Marana Host Team (Arthur Pack: July 22-28)

FRIDAY, JULY 22

STATE 8-10 BASEBALL: MESA (D-7)
Nogales 11, Mesa Four Peaks 9 (Championship)

Nogales 8-10 All-Stars completed an incredible run of eight straight games facing elimination, including a two-game sweep of Mesa Four Peaks in the championship round, to claim the state title.

Nogales lost its first game in the tournament to Four Peaks and went 8-0 thereafter. It defeated Four Peaks 11-9 in the final game Friday night.

Nogales’ roster:

Emilio Acevedo
Kal-el Ayala
Leonardo Caballero
Justin Celaya
Isaac Corella
Joel Corrales
Jesus Echeverria
Arciel Espinoza
Julian Lopez
Luis Monteverde
Dendrik Montijo
Humberto Picos
Christobal Quintero
Juan Rojas
Manager – Jack Routledge

STATE 9-11 BASEBALL: PHOENIX (D-3)
Rincon 6, Gilbert American 2 (Championship)

Rincon 9-11 All-Stars went unbeaten, a dominant 5-0 run, in the state tournament at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School in Phoenix.

The team from Vail area defeated Gilbert American 6-2 to win the title Friday night.

RINCON 9-11 ALL-STARS WIN STATE TITLE
Rincon goes unbeaten in the state tournament to claim the championship.
Complete 5-0 record with 6-2 win over Gilbert American.
Watch out for this group next year at the the Majors (Williamsport) level. pic.twitter.com/s4ulN1LDNT

— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 23, 2022

Rincon’s roster:

Nathan Ramirez
Justus Sipe
Kris Pedrique
CJ Horn
Demarco Valenzuela
Bryant Wall
Brendan Byars
Mikey Ortiz
Hudson Haner
Gage Mayfield
Walter Stange
Eli Hernandez
Colton Irby
Manager – Gene Ramirez
Coach – Justin Sipe
Coach – Frank Pedrique

STATE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: LITCHFIELD (D-2)
Sunnyside 6, Douglas 4 (7) (Elimination)

SUNNYSIDE MAJORS ALL-STARS ADVANCE TO STATE TITLE ROUND
Sunnyside beat Douglas 6-4 in 7 innings in elimination-bracket final of state tourney. Plays Peoria Sidewinder in title round tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Litchfield Park.
Sunnyside 10 straight wins in elimination games. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/BYi2y1vgqt

— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 23, 2022

Sunnyside increased its winning streak to 10 games facing elimination in the District 12 tournament and now the state tournament with the 6-4 win in seven innings over Douglas in the elimination-bracket final.

Eli Urias had a three-run home run, Dominic Thompson pitched six solid innings and Sunnyside’s defense played well, including a diving catch for an out by infielder David Gandarela Jr.

Sunnyside will face Peoria Sidewinder at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the championship round. Sunnyside must beat Peoria twice Saturday night while Peoria needs one win. The champion advances to the West Regional at San Bernardino, Calif., from Aug. 6-12.

50/70 WEST REGION: NOGALES (D-8)
Alaska defeated Nogales
Sunnyside 7, Washington 5

Sunnyside is 2-0 in pool play after Friday’s victory while Nogales, the host team, is 0-2.

Sunnyside next plays Alaska at 10 a.m. Saturday. Nogales faces Southern California at 1 p.m.

Top Sunnyside performers in the win over Washington: