NOGALES – No. 7 San Xavier made it to the Round of Eight at the Intermediate West Region held in Nogales this past week and every moment was uncharted territory for the program out of Manzanita Park. San Xavier made it to the Little League Majors West Region in 2001 but this was a new experience for this level of competition, and group of boys, who will mostly be playing up at the Junior League level next summer.
No. 2 Hawaii beat San Xavier 7-2 Tuesday night at Katherine Fleischer Park in Nogales to advance in the championship bracket where the team from Central Maui will face No. 3 Southern California Wednesday at 5 p.m. for a shot at the region title on Thursday. Scripps Ranch of San Diego beat No. 6 Douglas 21-2 late Tuesday night to advance to the semifinal round.
San Xavier Manager Alex Peña took his squad to new territory with a trip to the Intermediate West Regional held in Nogales. Great group of young boys who will mostly be competing at the Junior level next year. #TheOldPueblo pic.twitter.com/gR47VXEA1v
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 24, 2024
San Xavier took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Christian Lizarraga doubled to open the game and Michael Fikes walked one out later and then Mark Gaxiola knocked both runners in for the early lead. Hawaii got a run back in the bottom half of the inning with Kolby Sergent bringing in Noah Mathias.
Hawaii tied the gem up in the bottom of the third on a single from Briell Hong and an RBI from Ayden Anderson. The winning run came in the bottom of the fourth on an infield error that scored Kala Ikeha Wong and the team added two in the fifth and two more in the sixth for the 7-2 win.
Gaxiola got the start for San Xavier and Andres Castro also saw pitching action. Ryder Urig limited San Xavier to three hits while striking out seven. He gave up a triple to Fernando Villareal in the top of the fourth and Hong took over and picked up three strikeouts and then Mathias threw the top of the seventh and he collected three more strikeouts. Sergent went 3 for 3 with a double and two RBIs for Hawaii. Justice Wickes added an RBI triple.
TUESDAY, JULY 23
BASEBALL LITTLE LEAGUE STATE AT SIERRA VISTA
Litchfield Park 4, Canyon View 2 (Elimination)
BASEBALL 50/70 WEST REGION AT NOGALES
No. 3 Southern California 21, No. 6 Douglas 2 (Elimination)
No. 2 Hawaii 7, No. 7 San Xavier 2 (Elimination)
SOFTBALL JUNIOR WEST REGION AT ARTHUR PACK
Arizona (Goodyear) 12, Northern California 2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24
SOFTBALL LITTLE LEAGUE WEST REGION AT SAN BERNARDINO
Willcox vs. Northern California, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
SOFTBALL JUNIOR WEST REGION AT ARTHUR PACK
Arizona (Goodyear) vs. Washington, 8 a.m. (CHAMPIONSHIP)
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