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Incredible playoff run ends for McKinleyville All-Stars 

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File photo

It was an incredible run and one that captured the imagination of the local sports community, but it all came to end on Thursday night.

The McKinleyville 12-year-old Little League All-Stars finally bowed of the NorCal State Tournament in Stockton, falling 14-6 to Vacaville American.

The Mack all-stars finish third in NorCal.

“I thought the better team won probably, but we definitely had our chances,” McKinleyville head coach Quintin Carper said.

Cabella Carper and Teoh Arredondo led a Mack offense that put up six runs on eight hits against a quality opponent.

Cabella Carper capped another outstanding postseason by going 2-for-2, while Arredondo was equally effective all summer and was 2-for-3.

Carson Hicks, Blake Carper, Everett Gruetzmacher and Breyden Brock each also had a base hit.

The young Mack players certainly had their chances, leaving the bases loaded in both the second and third innings, including loading them with no outs in the second.

They trailed by just two runs, 8-6, going into the final inning, but Vacaville American pulled away late.

“I was proud of the kids,” Quintin Carper said. “The kids left it all on the field. They showed a lot of maturity battling right to the end.”

Tyson Marshall got the start on the mound, with Brock throwing four strong innings in relief and striking out four.

Brylon Smith closed out the game.

“We just ran into a team that had a little more strength,” the coach said. “But they played phenomenal all week.”

After opening the tournament with a loss on Saturday, McKinleyville showed plenty of resilience by battling back to win elimination games on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday to remain in the chase for a state title.

The Mack players closed out their playoff run 9-2, including undefeated runs through the District 26 and Section 2 tournaments.

Vacaville American now advances to play undefeated Bollinger Canyon in the championship round and needs to win two games to clinch the state title.

File photo – The McKinleyville players celebrate their District 26 championship earlier this summer.

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  2. The 4 remaining southern teams:

    Section 2 Champions Sherman Oaks Southern (District 40)

    Section 3 Champions La Verne (District 20)

    Section 4 Champions El Segundo (District 36)

    Section 5 Champions East Hills Yorba Linda Blue (Yorba Linda) (District 56)

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  3. Section 1 Champions Vacaville American (District 64) lost earlier 2-1 Bollinger Canyon

    Section 2 Champions McKinleyville (District 26) (elim.) 9-2 post-season

    Section 3 Champions Bollinger Canyon (San Ramon) (District 57) up 1 game for NorCal State Title

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  4. For those who understand how amazing the Mack baseball teams did this summer, here is a snapshot of how close U12’s were, as West Region Tourney only includes FOUR teams, two of which represent north and south California, the other two from Hawaii and Arizona… so close… rooting for Bollinger Canyon now.

    Vacaville lost out to Bollinger Canyon in a tough 2 losses… BC waiting to play a powerhouse southern team that annually competes for LLWS entry as West representative for USA bracket…

    ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

    Tournament Schedule/Results:
    Opening Round (Saturday, August 5):
    Game 1 – Hilo (Hawaii) versus Canyon View (Arizona) (4:00 p.m.)
    Game 2 – Southern California versus Bollinger Canyon (Northern California) (7:30 p.m.)

    Elimination Bracket Semifinal (four teams remain) (Sunday, August 6):
    Game 3 – Loser 1 versus Loser 2 (elim.) (4:00 p.m.)

    Winner’s Bracket Final (Monday, August 7):
    Game 4 – Winner 1 versus Winner 2 (2:00 p.m.) (winner advances to championship game)

    Elimination Bracket Final (three teams remain) (Wednesday, August 9):
    Game 5 – Loser 4 versus Winner 3 (elim.) (6:00 p.m.) (winner advances to championship game)
    Championship Game (Friday, August 11)

    Game 6 – Winner 4 versus Winner 5 (TITLE) (6:00 p.m.)
    W

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  6. El Segundo Little League out of Southern California punched the last Little League World Series ticket with a 3-1 win over Northern California (Bollinger Canyon Little League in San Ramon).

    Southern California scored all three of its runs in the first inning off a wild pitch and a two-run double. Northern California got one back with a solo home run in the fourth and put the tying run at the plate in the sixth, but a flyout to right ended the game and set the LLWS field.

    On the scoresheet:

    * Bollinger Canyon was basically a 2-3 run better offense than Vacaville…

    ** Vacaville was basically a 3-4 run offense better than Mack U12’s…

    > scoresheets in these top level games typically are connected to indirect runs on the scoresheet which skews the observation of the final score and outcome itself for outsiders, indirect fans.

    >> wild pitch = unearned run + batter on base…afterwhich a double scores that base-runner and the one other base-runner ahead on either 2nd ord 3rd base. North California was there, competed, and likely if “nerves” or “lesser than expected execution” did not occur, the game is 50/50 and likely headed into extra innings, or North California is victorious 1-0.

    The pitching was there after the wild pitch, the hitting can always be better (especially for catch-up situations), and defense as always…is the difference-maker after pitchers… pitchers must defend against a wild pitch by not throwing a wild pitch… catchers must defend by ensuring the ball makes it into their glove, or blocked in front and at home-plate.

    Mack baseballers really did have one helluva season when putting into context, perspective their accomplishments this season… not sure how the team roster looks next season, but likely a deep playoff run again…the baseball culture is very strong in Mack Town…

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  7. https://youtu.be/OfWulZEPl_Y

    A great first game to review for Mack players… pitchers on both teams were jittery, El Segundo walked in 3 runs first 2 innings, allowed loaded bases twice, infield defense played well to not let inning get out of hand score-wise…

    …then later, outfielder for Ohio team dropped a ball in his glove for a 2 run homerun that tied game.

    EL Segundo had two big hitters in the 1, 2 slots… with hitter 3 having some pop in his bat too…

    Inspiring stuff really for Mack players, who proved they can play.

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  8. 2023 Little League Baseball World Series
    Aug 16 – Aug 27, 2023 • Tournament • Williamsport, PA
    Sat Aug 26, 12:30 PM PT
    Southwest – LLBWS logo

    Southwest – LLBWS
    V
    West – LLBWS logo

    West – LLBWS

    West – LLBWS vs. Southwest – LLBWS

    Mack was closer than folks may realise…

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