Rincon Little League All-Stars won the District 12 9-11 championship on Saturday night at Lawrence Park behind Christian Diaz’s complete-game performance and a lineup that produced 14 hits in a 10-1 win over Copper Hills.
Nathan Ventura went 3 for 3 with two runs, triple and RBI, Raelynn Tanori was 2 for 3 with a run and RBI, Cody Brinkley finished 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI and Victor Ramos went 2 for 3 with one run and two RBIs.
Diaz struck out 11 batters and walked two while allowing only two hits.
Rincon beats Copper Hills 10-1 to advance to the Little League 9-11 state baseball tournament at Sierra Vista starting July 10. pic.twitter.com/Hu4T8XkV63
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 2, 2023
Tanori has only played baseball since she was three years old. She was instrumental in Rincon winning the 8-10 baseball district title last year.
Her brother Mikey was a standout with Santa Rita Little League and sister Bibiana is a junior softball player at Mica Mountain.
“My parents are coaches, they coached for my brother and sister and they helped me,” Rae explained for her reason why she has played baseball since she was 3.
Rincon 9-11 All-Star second baseman Raelynn Tanori has played only baseball since 3 years old and she looks like a natural on the diamond. She went 2 for 3 with a run and RBI in her team’s 10-1 win over Copper Hills in the District 12 championship tonight. pic.twitter.com/Koaywz5Z7o
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 2, 2023
Her hits, including on an 0-2 count, were solid ropes to the outfield, belying her compact size as a second baseman. She also tracked a fly ball to shallow right field.
In Rincon’s 4-0 run through the district tournament, Rae was 7 for 9 with five runs and four RBIs.
“I felt good; I’m just glad I helped the team any way I could,” she said. “We all came together to win this. I like that we can all help each other and pick each other up.”
Rincon coach Rolando Diaz mentioned that members of the 9-11 team often played against Rincon’s Majors team (10 to 12) during the regular season. That experience has benefited Rae and her teammates as they face district and state opponents in the 9-11 competition.
“When you get to this tournament and they’re playing kids their age, the moment’s never too big,” he said. “You can see that with Rae. She’s ready for it. She’s tough as nails. She took some great at-bats tonight.”
Christian Diaz is the son of Rolando, who was a standout Class of 2003 pitcher at Sahuaro.
Rincon 9-11 All-Star pitcher Christian Diaz struck out 11 and walked two while allowing only two hits in a 10-1 win over Copper Hills in the District 12 championship game. pic.twitter.com/0jZu9pPMbp
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 2, 2023
After allowing a run in the first inning, Christian Diaz retired 14 of the next 15 batters. Copper Hills had two runners on base with one out in the sixth, but Diaz settled down and struck out the last two batters of the game.
“My teammates did good, I did good … it’s a team effort,” Christian said. “It feels like family.”
Rincon outscored its four opponents 50-6 in the district tournament.
The elder Diaz’s team advances to the state tournament, to be held at Sierra Vista starting July 10.
“They work so hard and play for one another,” he said of his team. “There’s no egos on this team. There’s no individual bigger than the team and they understand that. They’ve clicked since Day One. They love one another.”
Sahuaro grad Orlando Diaz is Rincon 9-11 coach. Son Christian Diaz pitched complete game in tonight’s 10-1 win over Copper Hills in the District 12 championship. Rincon, 4-0 in the tournament, outscoring opponents 50-6, advances to state tournament at Sierra Vista on July 10. pic.twitter.com/8FGgP0KpdP
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 2, 2023
SATURDAY, JULY 1
D-12: 8-10 BASEBALL MANZANITA
Sunnyside 20, SW Foothills 1 (Elimination)
Copper Hills 10, Los Ninos 3 (Elimination)
D-12: 9-11 BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP LAWRENCE
Rincon 10, Copper Hills 1
D-12 LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL MANZANITA
Cactus 10, Los Ninos 0 (Elimination)
Rincon 10, Empire 0 (Elimination)
MONDAY, JULY 3
D-12: 8-10 BASEBALL MANZANITA
Empire vs. Rincon, 5:15 p.m.
Sunnyside vs. Copper Hills, 7:45 p.m. (Elimination)
D-12 LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL MANZANITA
Sunnyside vs. San Xavier, 5:15 p.m.
Cactus vs. Rincon, 7:45 p.m. (Elimination)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5
ARIZONA STATE JUNIOR SOFTBALL ARTHUR PACK
District 8 vs. Avondale, 5 p.m.
District 12 vs. Four Peaks, 7:30 p.m.
Recommended for you
