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Story and Photos by Gregg McMullin and published by The El Segundo Herald.

The El Segundo Little League wrapped up its 65th season with Championship Saturday that crowned the league champions in the Double-A, Triple-A and Major divisions. The day started with the Double-A game between the Lake Monsters and the Thunder, continued with the Cardinals facing the Dodgers in the Triple-A game and ended with the Dodgers taking on the Angels. In each game there were fantastic defensive plays, timely hitting and enough dramatics to entertain the large crowds throughout the day. I’m not sure of another community that supports Little Leaguers on Championship Saturday like El Segundo does. There were special menu items at the snack bar, inflatable jumpers for kids to enjoy, the support of the police and fire departments and a large contingent of fan support throughout the day. Prior to each game, the National Anthem was sung a cappella style by three of our community’s finest vocalists ranging in age from 5 to 19 years old. The biggest fan base of the day was the Double-A game with over 300 people in the stands and lining the outfield fence. The large crowd didn’t deter five-year-old Charlotte Groendal, who not only nailed each note but brought tears and goosebumps to an appreciative crowd with her innocence and perfectly sung rendition. Prior to the Triple-A game, Rachel Penner sung our anthem with clarity and perfect pitch in tackling one of the most challenging songs ever written. Not to be outdone was Zoe Scherer, whose rendition before the Major Division game was as beautiful as the first two. The fact is all three are worthy of an audition to sing at Dodger Stadium, Staples Center or the new stadium in Inglewood. And to think they graced us with their talents on Championship Saturday.

Ryder Leach Leads Thunder to Double-A Title

With the Thunder’s theme song “Thunderstruck” blaring throughout the game, the team played perhaps its best game of the season. It came at the right time with a 4-3 win over the Lake Monsters. The Thunder wasn’t pegged to advance to the championship game because it was the fifth-seeded team out of seven, but the players persevered.

The Lake Monsters took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Crew O’Connor singled and later scored on an RBI double by Declan McRoberts. In the third inning, the Thunder figured out the Lake Monster pitching staff.

Nickolas Gerbrands led off the inning with a walk and later scored on an RBI single by Ryder Leach. Connor Pratt singled and Leach took third and then scored on a ground ball by Lucas Keldorf to make it 2-1. The Lake Monsters responded with two runs of their own. O’Connor singled, Cole Huie was hit by a pitch and McRoberts walked to load the bases. Benji Rayburn and Cameron Quinnan each worked the count for RBI walks and the Monsters took back the lead 3-2. In the final inning, Keanu Kranke and Travis Berman each drew walks to start the rally.

Kranke would score the tying run on a ground ball by Logan Meyer to even the score at 3-3. Leach’s sharp RBI single scored Berman to give the Thunder a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Keldorf came in to strike out the side and give his team the championship.  The happy, frenzied celebration that followed was punctuated by Thunder manager Mickey Meyer getting drenched with a container of water by his players.

Chase Mattoon’s Hitting and Pitching Lead Cardinals to Championship

In the Triple-A championship game there was excitement, drama and a near comeback, but the Cardinals held off the Dodgers 9-7. The Dodgers were the favorite going into the playoffs because after all they were the top-seeded team that had plenty of offensive power throughout the lineup. The Dodgers had outscored their opponents 189- 142 and led the league in hitting. The Cardinals, who were seeded third, got hot at the right time to advance through the

playoffs. They ended up in the championship game against a team they had lost to three times during the regular season. But in the playoffs, the tides turned and the Cardinals defeated the Red Sox and Dodgers to get to Championship Saturday. The Cardinals scored three first inning runs to race to a 3-0 lead. Chase Mattoon walked, stole second and third base and scored on a passed ball. Rishi Nair mirrored Mattoon by also walking and then later scored on a wild pitch. Joey Schobel also walked and scored on a wild pitch. The Dodgers took advantage of an error and passed ball to score in their half of the first inning. Dylan Stenberg reached on an error and later scored on a passed ball to make it 3-1. In the fourth inning, the Cardinals extended their lead to 7-1. Brayden Vanek had an RBI double that scored Nair. With his speed, he would later score on a passed ball. Two other walks to Schobel and Jonny Novelo also resulted in runs scored by each. The Dodgers’ potential for a big fourth inning took a detour. Stenberg hit a sharp grounder to third base, but the ball was overthrown to first base and he then raced towards second base. When he saw that Cardinal first baseman Dash Pimentel was having a difficult time locating the ball, Stenberg rounded second base and headed towards third. Pimentel found the ball and fired a strike to Novelo at third base for the out. Gio Blanco singled and scored on an RBI single by Bryant Waites. Noah Davis’ RBI single scored Mateo Valentino to make it 7-3. The Cardinals added a run in the fifth inning on Mattoon’s RBI single that scored Braxton Burke, and then another in the sixth inning when Cade Maechling’s ground ball brought home Schobel. In the sixth inning, the Dodgers’ comeback attempts came up short. Carson Rollins, Stenberg, Blanco and Davis each had hits and ended up scoring to make it 9-7. The rally came up short when Schobel got a strikeout for the third out to give the Cardinals their improbable championship title.

RJ Puffer Powers Dodgers to Major Division Title

The Dodgers finished third in the standings during the regular season, so reaching the championship game was thought to be a longshot. With the Dodgers’ late-season surge and the Angels with an impressive pitching staff as well as an imposing hitting lineup, it made for a great title game on Championship Saturday. The Dodgers held on for a 5-3 win to capture their second title in three years. The Dodgers are led by one of the top hitters and pitchers in the league. RJ Puffer is a hard-throwing right-hander with good control. He’s also a feared hitter who has home run power. He lifted his team to the title by starting and throwing two innings of no-hit ball while striking out four. His

two-run home run in the third inning, after Shane Mossman was hit by a pitch, gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. The lead extended to 3-0 when Ethan Plouff doubled and scored on Hudson Arthur’s RBI single. In the fifth inning, the Dodgers added to their lead. Sean Mossman tripled and scored on a double steal. Puffer, who was hit by a pitch, also scored on a double steal to make it 5-0. The Angels’ offense struggled all game long against Puffer to start and Sean Mossman who finished up. They did cut into the deficit in the fifth inning when Porter Robbins and Vinny Baldino each singled. Jake Croxall’s ground ball to the right side scored Robbins and Eli Stephens’ RBI single scored Baldino to make it 5-2. The Angels’ comeback in the sixth inning came up short. Benjamin Lee doubled to start the inning and scored on an RBI single by Robert Cantu to make it 5-3. The Dodgers held off the Angels with an easy ground ball and a strikeout to finish the game.

Jim O’Conner Wins Nate Chittick “Phenomenal Coach” Award

This award goes to a manager or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of placing fun and development above competition. It considers someone who teaches, encourages with respect and integrity and shows a passion

for the game and the players he or she is coaching. Out of all the nominees by players, other coaches and parents, Jim O’Conner of the Double-A Lake Monsters was named the league’s second annual Phenomenal Coach

of the Year. Another fantastic regular season is in the books, capped off by Championship Saturday. There were three teams crowned, but all players playing El Segundo Little League were winners.

On behalf of the organization’s staff and sponsors, thank you for supporting El Segundo Little League. •

1.  Kristin Baker
2. Craig Brooks
3. Jessica Duffaut
4. Jay DuPertuis
5. Alejandra Fennell
6. Adam Huie
7. Mickey Meyer
8. Young Lee
9. Nick Liebeskind
10. Rolland Mattoon
11. Jenette Osborne
12. Ryan Osborne
13. Jeff Pate
14. Lori Rico
15. Owen Smigelski
16. Ed Sugden
17. Jennifer Tyler
18. Christibelle Villena

• All Star District Tournament: June 22nd through July 11th
• All Star Section Tournament: July 13th through July 18th
• All Star State Tournament: July 20th through July 30th
• All Star Western Region Tournament: Aug 4th through 10th

This award goes to a manager or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of placing fun and development above competition. It considers someone who teaches, encourages with respect and integrity and shows a passion

for the game and the players he or she is coaching. Out of all the nominees by players, other coaches and parents, Jim O’Conner of the Double-A Lake Monsters was named the league’s second annual Phenomenal Coach of the Year.