National 8-10s capture title
Courtesy of Cynthia Armiento
The Madera National Little League 8-10-year-old All-Star softball team celebrates capturing the Valley Section championship Sunday at Lions Town and Country Park.
The Madera National Little League 8-10-year-old All-Star team got the draw they coveted and used the advantage to capture the Northern California Valley Section Championship with a pair of wins.
Madera National defeated Greenfield Little League-Bakersfield twice in the three-team, double-elimination tournament last weekend at Lions Town and Country Park.
After Greenfield eliminated Kaweah-Visalia earlier Sunday, Madera National won the title with a 16-11 victory over Greenfield a day after defeating Greenfield, 26-13.
Madera National jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the third inning Sunday and 16-3 with a six-run fourth inning.
Greenfield scored eight unanswered runs, but Madera National held on for a 16-11 victory.
Jillian Villalobos got the victory in both wins or Madera National. She also drove in two runs in the championship game. Danity Aguirre led Madera National with three hits and three RBIs.
The previous day, Madera National scored 26 runs, highlighted by a 10-run sixth inning. Madera National built a 16-9 lead before erupting for 10 runs in the sixth.
Greenfield pitchers walked 27 batters with eight hit batters and threw 49 wild pitches. Three Greenfield pitchers threw 220 pitches and 151 were balls.
Villalobos and Aguirre led the team with five runs scored each. Mia Pompa drew four walks and scored four runs. Mylah Avila added three runs.
Madera National only had three hits in the game — singles by Aguirre, Mirella Solis and Ariana Perez. Perez also drove in two runs.
Madera National also committed eight errors, which led to five unearned runs.
Villalobos got the win, allowing nine runs on four hits with six strikeouts and five walks. Aguirre came in relief and allowed four runs on one hit with three strikeouts.
Madera National next plays in the Little League State Tournament in Sacramento, home of District 6. The tournament begins Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Delta Section with a second game on Sunday.
