Submitted photo – The Redwood Giants Orange players and coaches celebrate their tournament win in Medford last weekend.

The Redwood Giants 10U Orange team didn’t have to wait as long for their second tournament win.

After some close calls throughout the year, the local travel team got a breakthrough tournament win last month and the young players followed that with a second straight tournament championship last weekend.

The Giants traveled to Medford to compete at the Fall Classic and went 3-0-1 in tournament play to secure back-to-back championships.

And for the second straight tournament, it was the team defense and speed that paved the way to victory. 

“We played awesome,” head coach Luke Rea said. “Once again our defense was outstanding. They were lights out defensively the whole time.”

The Giants opened tournament play with a 9-1 win over the Cottonwood Crush, before tying the Cottonwood Crush Green 8-8.

Their third game was a rematch with the Crush Green and this time they prevailed by a score of 10-1 to send them into the championship game.

In the final, the Giants broke open a tight game late and won 9-1.

“It was a pitchers’ duel,” Rea said of the matchup, which saw both teams tied 1-1 going into the sixth. “They had to pull their pitcher and we just opened it up in that inning.”

Jameson Kozlowski went the distance on the hill for the Giants and got the win with another outstanding performance that saw him hold the Rogue City bats to just one run.

The young standout also had some big hits for his team and helped anchor the defense at shortstop.

“His range is really good,” Rea said.

Twins Jaxon and Travis Gray also continued to shine for the Giants.

Travis “pitched awesome,” according to the coach, and also made some big plays at second base and in the outfield, while Jaxon set the tone for the weekend with a big showing behind the dish.

“He’s good everywhere he plays,” Rea said of Travis, before adding of Jaxon, “We definitely can’t win games without Jaxon.”

Jett Robinson also was instrumental in the tournament win.

“He’s our No. 2 hitter and he hit phenomenal,” Rea said of Robinson, who also made some big contributions at second base.

First baseman Kohl Rea and third baseman Jace Price-Lewis each also helped to anchor the defense with their reliable gloves.

“Kohl played good defensively,” the head coach said. “And Price-Lewis had some hard hit balls at him and he made the plays.”

The big difference for the team, however, has been the speed in the outfield and on the bases.

“All of our outfielders made a difference on the bases. We emphasize stealing bases. Stealing bases win games,” the head coach said. “We might be the fastest team. Our kids are ridiculously fast.”

That speed includes outfielders Wyatt Hall, Brodi Maniachi and Reece Killingsworth, the latter of whom the coach described as the “fastest kid on the team.”

Reid Wibenhorst also made some good plays in the outfield, as did Jace Weigand, who Luke Rea described as “our superstar outfielder,” 

Weigand also had some key hits.

“He out-runs every grounder in the infield and gets on base,” the coach said.

Overall, the team continues to impress the coaching staff, which also includes Johnny Kozlowski and his son Johnny Kozlowski Jr.

“I’m proud of them,” Luke Rea said of his players. “They’re playing so well as a team. It’s really fun to watch.

“And a big shoutout to all the parents. It wouldn’t be possible without their support 

The Giants will play one more tournament this year when they travel back to Medford in early November.