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LATHROP MAKES HISTORY
Minors win District 67 TOC title
BB LL TOC Minors pic 2
Manteca’s Jackson Hoagland makes a catch in center field. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL/The Bulletin

Lathrop Little League is no longer seeking its first-ever District 67 championship.

As a result of their thrilling 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Manteca White Sox, the Lathrop Phillies laid claim to the championship banner of the District 67 Minors Tournament of Champions at Brock Elliott School on Monday night.

“This was the first-ever banner for Lathrop Little League,” Phillies coach Logan Orndoff said. “We worked so hard for this for so long. I have had a lot of these kids in one sport or another for a couple of years now. This has been a long time coming.

“Every day they come with enthusiasm and they try to learn something new. As a coach it is so exciting to see them so ready to learn at every practice, every game, always wanting more.”

The Phillies had to play an out-bracket game and in the fourth round were sent to the consolation bracket with a semi-final loss to the White Sox. Lathrop beat Tracy American in the consolation final and then beat Manteca twice for the title.

“This tournament was such a hard battle,” Orndoff said. “We played more games than anyone else and I think we played harder than anyone else. When we were down we always came back.

“It was just an amazing run. It was just an amazing run through the whole year.”

The White Sox scored four runs in the top of the fourth to bump their lead to 6-0. With the Phillies down to their final six outs they came to life, scoring four in the fourth and four in the fifth, allowing just two Manteca base runners in the final two innings.

Christian Dell’Osso (two RBI, double, two runs) led off the Lathrop fourth with a walk and took third on a single by Cassious Orndoff. Isaac Nunnally singled in Dell’Osso and Orndoff scored on a groundout by Carter Dupee. Brayden Dell’Osso then walked and Tommy Hammond doubled in Nunnally and Brayden Dell’Osso to make the score 6-4.

The Phillies picked it back up in the fifth with Kenzo Rashada leading off the frame with a walk and Josia Mejorado singling. Rashada scored on a single by Gabriel Ramirez, Mejorado and Ramirez scored on a double by Christian Dell’Osso to take the lead at 7-6 and Christian Dell’Osso added an insurance run when he scored on a bases-loaded walk to Brayden Dell’Osso.

Manteca struck early. Brody Carabello led off the game with a walk and scored on a single by Madden Melendez (2 for 3, RBI, two runs) who ended up on third thanks to an error. Melendez scored on a wild pitch to make the score 2-0.   

Carabello walked again in the fourth, stole second and scored on a single by Jacoby Salinas. Melendez singled in Salinas, Brixton Ortiz singled in Melendez and Ortiz eventually scored on an error for the short-lives 6-0 lead.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” White Sox coach Bubba Carabello said. “We didn’t expect to be here and then we went 23-3. What can you say?”