TRACY — Nolan Mendes rung up nine strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings, and Northgate spotted its pitching ace seven runs in the first en route to beating Ripon 10-5 in the Little League District 67 8-10-year-old all-star championship Sunday at Legacy Fields.

Mendes gave up three hits, an unearned run, a walk and hit two batters before reaching his pitch count. Eli Jimenez took it the rest of the way and ended the game in style, first coming up with a sliding catch on Benji Sybesma’s infield pop-up for the second out of the sixth inning. Jimenez then sealed the win with a strikeout, sending Northgate to the Section 6 Tournament beginning next weekend in Ione.

It was Northgate’s second win over Ripon in three days. Similar to their semifinal matchup, Northgate jumped ahead early, only for Ripon to come charging back and avoid the mercy rule.

Northgate took advantage of three errors in the first inning to stake the 7-0 lead. Ealin Showers was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to plate the first run of the game, and Isaiah Barrera later hit an RBI single. Showers ignited the rally with his hustle, beating out a force play at second base with two outs.

Ilias Leon knocked in Carson Beck with a two-strike single in the second inning to make it 8-0.

Roelo Noble scored on a wild pitch in the fourth to get Ripon on board. Ripon then took its turn capitalizing on mistakes, as three errors from Northgate helped lead to three more runs in the fifth.

Ripon, however, finished the game with the bases loaded, totaling 11 left on. Northgate outhit Ripon 10-7 and was led by Jimenez’s 2-for-3 effort. Jack Benedetti and James Hicks each contributed pinch-hit, RBI knocks in the fourth inning.

Hudson Rushing went 2 for 3 from the top of Ripon’s order. He also caught two sharp line drives at second base in the third inning to help keep his team in the fight and pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.