Northgate Little League’s junior all-stars will have a chance to avenge an earlier defeat today at Patterson High, where they’ll take on District 67 14U Tournament host Patterson in the final round starting at 5 p.m.

Northgate will have to win twice to claim the championship. The “if necessary” game is on Friday.

Patterson previously downed Northgate 13-1 in the second round on Monday. Northgate bounced back Tuesday, rallying past city rival Spreckels Park in five innings, 17-6. Mountain House forfeited the consolation semifinal on Wednesday, allowing Northgate to advance to the title round.

Marcos Guzman spearheaded Northgate with four RBIs against Spreckels Park.

The two teams traded blows at the outset, but Northgate took the lead for good with a four-run rally in the top of the third inning to jump ahead, 8-6. Guzman keyed the barrage with a two-run single. Northgate plated 13 unanswered runs en route to the mercy-rule win.

Guzman finished 2-for-4. Travis Ledger contributed four runs, going 2-for-2 with a double while drawing two walks. Northgate capitalized on eight hits and 15 walks. Bryce Flores was hit by three pitches, scoring four times. He also had a hit on his lone official at-bat. Levi Morris also plated four runs.

Northgate used four pitchers. Graham Allen, who got the win, Manoah Ellis and Flores kept Spreckels Park hitless over the final 4 2/3 innings.

Spreckels Park scored all of its runs in the bottom of the first inning, getting an RBI each from Diani Joseph Rey Navarro, Frankie Cervantez, Dom Kotta, Maz Souza, Christian Miramontes and Chris Marek.