Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — Playing on one of the biggest stages of their young careers, the Redwood Empire Little League Padres rose to the occasion this week.

The young Padres won all four of their games at the District 26 Tournament of Champions at the Redwood Fields in Cutten, taking home a championship banner for the association for the first time in seven years.

But it wasn’t easy.

The Padres opened with a 17-5 victory over McKinleyville’s Trinity Diesel, who were three-time defending TOC champs, and also had to navigate a tricky and challenging semifinal matchup against the Dodgers, the No. 1 team from RELL, which they won 9-2.

In Tuesday’s championship game, which was played in front of a huge crowd, they defeated the Eel River A’s 3-1.

And it was achieved with a total team effort.

“Every single kid contributed at least two runs each (in tournament play),” Padres manager Tyler Conley said. “That was one of the biggest things, every kid played a big role.”

No one more so than Liam Kilgore, who had a huge tournament on the mound and at the plate.

Kilgore pitched a complete-game one-hitter in the final and struck out 12.

“If there was an MVP given out, hands down it would go to Liam,” Conley said. “He pitched lights out all tourney.”

In addition to his big performance on Tuesday night, Kilgore also got the Winton the mound against Trinity Diesel and led the team in batting average, including hitting a home run in the semifinal win over the Dodgers.

And he wasn’t the only Padres player to impress.

Na-res Ballew pitched “an absolute gem” in the semifinal win, according to the manager.

Submitted photo

“She held the No. 1 team from Redwood Empire to just two runs and pitched so well,” Conley said.

Ballew was awarded a District 26 Inspirational Player pin for her performance.

Treyce Conley and Graham Gaser each also enjoyed big tournaments on the way to the championship.

The young Conley had one of the hottest bats in tournament play, including hitting a rally-starting home run in the semifinal victory.

But that’s not all he brings to the table.

“He’s a true team leader and really takes command of the games, helping keep all players composed,” Tyler Conley said.

The versatile Gaser, who played catcher, shortstop and center field. also had a big impact and “made plays all over the field for us,” according to the manager.

“He was one of our most consistent hitters and really stepped it up defensively for us all tourney,” the manager said.

Carter Conrad was equally impressive on defense and on the mound, getting the win in a 12-2 showdown against the Southern Humboldt Pirates in the second round.

“He played lock-down defense for us all over the infield,” Tyler Conley said. “He made some big plays at second in the championship.” 

One of the most impressive performances came from the youngest player on the team, Jace Johnson.

The 10-year-old “definitely wasn’t afraid of the moment,” his manager said, and hit .500 for the tournament, including a memorable inside-the-park home run and a triple in one game.

And that’s not all.

Described by his coaches as a “Ricky Henderson on the bases,” Johnson stole home twice, while also making plays at catcher and in the outfield.

Another player who stepped up for the occasion was Charlie Armstrong.

“Charlie is made for the moment,” Tyler Coley said. “Every time we needed a big hit he was at the plate and came through. He led the team in RBIs and never backs down from the moment.”

Asher Novello, Shy Smart and Hudson Jimenez each also had some big contributions in the championship run.

Novello is one of the team’s inspirational leaders and “pumps up the whole team,” according to his coaches.

“His positive attitude is infectious and he made big catches in the outfield all season,” the manager said. “His bat has really come alive over the tourney.”

Smart was a first-time player and had an immediate impact as one of the most improved players on this year’s roster.

“As the year progressed he really got better,” Tyler Conley said. “He swung the bat all weekend and is always a positive player.” 

Jimenez was one of the most patient players on the Padres.

“Hudson Jimenez drew some big walks for us and would come around to score,” the manager said. “He’s a little guy with a big love for the game.”

Rounding out the championship team, Campbell Ramey and Kellen Holliday both also played key roles all season.

Ramey was clutch time and again this spring, driving in some key runs at critical times, including a pivotal two-out RBI single late in the championship game.,

“(He) went out in style this tourney,” the manager said of the 12-year-old.

Holliday was out of town for the tournament, but he played a major role all spring, particularly on defense.

“We really missed having him out there and kids really had to step up with him not being in the lineup and in the field for us defensively,” his manager said.

Overall, the tournament was a fun occasion with all 16 teams and their fans adding to the atmosphere and excitement.

“It was big,” Tyler Conley said of the tournament. “Every game we went to was packed and it was a big environment for the kids.”

Humboldt Sports reached out to the Eel River A’s coaches for some feedback on their team and players, but they did not immediately respond.