It ended in dramatic fashion.

That's how it went for the 11 year olds of the Turlock American Little League All-Stars, who survived a late surge by Los Banos National at Julien Field on Thursday to win 6-5 and claim the championship of California's District 10 Area 2.

Turlock American coach Nick Pryschuk said his team did it with pitching and defense. But it also helped that Dylan Roberts had an RBI-single in the fourth that kept the Turlock American players ahead with a 6-5 edge after Los Banos National earned two late runs.

The win sends the Turlock Americans to the District 10 championship, which will be held at 10 a.m. or noon on Sunday in Madera, depending on the outcome of other Little League games. The challenger will be either Madera American or Riverpark, as the two teams played each other late Friday.

On Thursday, Turlock American fell behind 3-0 after the first inning but never let up, scoring three runs in the following frame. In the third, Marcus DeCouto's sacrifice fly scored two big runs.

After Los Banos National's two late runs at the top of the fourth, Damon Treadwell started the bottom of the frame with a double. That was followed by an RBI single from Roberts. It gave Turlock American a confidence boost, as Cameron Martin pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up two Los Banos National scores.

On Sunday, the Turlock Americans have the edge in the district championship game, as they've not lost a game in the double-elimination tournament.

To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.