District 66 champion Spring Valley Little League finishes runner-up in California Section 7 finals

Photo by Jon Bigornia California District 66’s Senior Division all-star team advanced as far as the California Section 7 championship game before finishing runner-up to District 42 champion Sweetwater Valley

Spring Valley Little League’s Senior Division all-star team defeated Lemon Grove Little League’s complement of all-stars twice by scores of 11-3 and 14-6 to win this year’s District 66 championship.

Encanto Little League finished 0-2 in the three-team double-elimination tournament. Lemon Grove defeated Encanto twice by scores of 5-2 and 10-9 to earn the right to meet Spring Valley in the championship game on June 25.

There was lot of baseball to be played, however, as Spring Valley advanced to the California Section 7 championship tournament in a best-of-three finals against District 42 champion Sweetwater Valley.

Spring Valley won the first game, 12-6, on July 1 but Sweetwater Valley responded with a 14-6 win the next day to even the series. The championship game took place on July 6 with Sweetwater Valley winning 14-3 to advance to the Southern California regional tournament.

District 66’s all-star team was evenly split between players from Mount Miguel and Monte Vista high schools.

“Our hitting was our strong point, we were a very disciplined hitting team.” manager Eddie Camacho said,

Top players included third baseman Alfredo Rodriguez and pitcher Rudy Thomas from Mount Miguel and relief pitcher Damian Ordaz and catcher Diego Cortez from Monte Vista. Thomas was the winning pitcher in the District 66 championship game.

California District 66 to host three sectional all-star tournaments

California District 66 Little League will host three Section 7 tournaments — all at Spring Valley Little League, 1312 Sweetwater Lane in Spring Valley. They include the 11U and 12U all-star divisions as well as the Junior Division for younger teenagers.

The 11U all-star bracket includes championship teams from three districts: Rancho de Oro (District 41), Eastlake (District 42) and Lemon Grove (District 66). District 22 is not sending a team.

The 12U all-star bracket includes championship teams from all four districts: Calexico (District 22), Lakeside National (District 41), Sweetwater Valley (District 42) and Spring Valley (District 66).

The Junior League bracket includes teams from all four districts: Holtville (District 22), West Hills (District 41), Park View (District 42) and Spring Valley (District 66).

California District 41 will host the 10U sectional tournament at Fletcher Hills Little League.

10U DIVISION
Saturday, July 16
District 41 vs. District 66, 10 a.m.
District 22 vs. District 42, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 17
Winners bracket, 10 a.m.
Elimination game, 1:30 p.m.
Monday, July 18
Elimination game, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 19
Championship game, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20
If necessary, 6:30 p.m.

11U DIVISION
Saturday, July 16
District 41 vs. District 42, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 17
District 66 vs. District 41-District 42 winner, noon
Monday, July 18
Elimination game, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 19
Championship game, 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 21
If necessary, 4 p.m.

12U DIVISION
Saturday, July 16
District 66 vs. District 42, 3 p.m.
District 41 vs. District 22, 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 17
Elimination game, 3 p.m.
Winners bracket, 6 p.m.
Monday, July 18
Elimination game, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20
Championship game, 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 21
If necessary, 6 p.m.

JUNIOR DIVISION
Thursday, July 14
District 66 vs. District 41
Friday, July 15
District 42 vs. District 22, 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 16
Winners bracket, noon
Elimination game, 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 17
Elimination game, 2 p.m.
Monday, July 18
Championship game, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 19
If necessary, 6 p.m.