The 10-year-old Turlock American All-Stars left nothing to chance when they faced the Turlock National All-Stars in a two-game series for the District 73 Little League Championship this week. After losing to Yosemite in the second round and battling through the losers’ bracket, Turlock American defeated the National All-Stars 7-2 on Monday and 24-2 on Tuesday.

“It was definitely a challenge, but I think playing through the losers’ bracket was good for us,” American assistant coach Phil Govea said. “We needed to lose a game and be humbled a bit.”

The American All-Stars scored four runs in the first inning and another four in the second inning, but their offensive attack really opened up in the third inning when they scored a season best 11 runs. The National All-Stars scored runs in the second and fourth innings but, for the most part, struggled to stop Mathew Livingston from the mound.

“Every player got a hit and drove in a run today,” Govea said. “It really was a total team effort.”

Turlock American scored five more runs in the fourth inning before the game was called. Livingston pitched three innings, finishing two with a total of 13 pitches. Jake Abrams was brought in to finish the game in the fourth.

“They pitched their ace on Monday and he kept our batter quiet,” Govea said. “Our bats just came alive today. Their pitcher was good, but we got to him early.”

The American All-Stars now find themselves in the sectional tournament where they will face District 15 at 7p.m. on Saturday.