The 2018 Major Division Tournament of Champions kicked off this past weekend from Yosemite Little League in Coarsegold and both Turlock American (White Sox) and Turlock National (Dodgers) Little League were represented.
The Dodgers were eliminated after two straight games while the White Sox managed to make it to the finale before losing to the champions—Atwater.
“The White Sox had a spectacular season. Our boys worked hard and despite tonight's loss, are still champions,” said White Sox head coach Kevin Wilson.
“Our team was super excited to be in the TOC. We traveled in a bus to get to the tournament as a team. Unfortunately, we didn't end up winning either game but we had fun,” said Dodgers head coach Tyler Eggleston.
The Dodgers were called to represent the National League in the tournament.
They accumulated an overall record of 11-10 during the year, while earning a playoff berth in the process.
“This is my first year coaching at Turlock National Little League,” said Eggleston. “Our record was 11-10 on the season just squeezing into the playoffs. We ended up losing in the playoffs but making it to the TOC, which was great.”
The Dodgers dropped their first-round matchup with Atwater in a 13-2 final on Sunday which then placed them in the elimination bracket.
This gave them a next day battle when they took on Los Banos — but were shutout 7-0.
“The kids look forward to working harder next year and improving their skills,” said Eggleston.
The White Sox toppled Los Banos in their first-round match on Saturday, 7-4.
This put them in a matchup on Sunday against Yosemite where they won 10-1.
Two straight wins put them in the winners’ bracket semifinal against Atwater on Tuesday, but they lost 6-2 and were put in a win or go home scenario less than 24 hours later against Yosemite.
Down 5-3 heading into the fifth, the White Sox managed to rally quickly.
Three runs were added in the top of the fifth as they went up 6-5 for good.
Pitcher Bubba Lujan was able to hold off Yosemite for the remainder of the game.
“Bubba Lujan held them off on the mound,” said Wilson. “We scored two in the top of the fifth to go ahead, Bubba went back to the mound and shut the door while Riley McCord made a spectacular catch on a foul ball over the third baseline fence for the third out. I should also say that we had a great performance from our bullpen, Dominic Chipponeri and Tate Silveria did a fantastic job and kept us in the game.”
This win put the White Sox in Thursday’s finale against Atwater, however, the Sox needed two wins to claim victory while Atwater needed just one win.
The White Sox fell 7-2 on Thursday night, finishing as runners-up.
