VALLEY SPRINGS — It was just not meant to be for Northgate.

 Hoover-Tyler of Stockton scored seven sixth-inning runs – three with two outs – for a 10-9 win over in the championship of Section 6 Little League 9-10 Year-Old All-Star Tournament at Duke Powers Field.

Of the five hits Hoover-Tyler got off of Northgate’s three sixth-inning pitchers, only one was a solid knock to the outfield with the rest finding a way to not get caught in the shallow outfield grass or the infield. The last run of the game scored on a two-strike bases-loaded passed ball, with the three before that scoring on bases-loaded walks.

 “It was a tough loss,” Northgate manager Mike Calmes said. “We made a couple of mistakes and we just couldn’t hold the lead.

 “I am really proud of all the boys and how hard they played.”

 Willie Segura pitched four strong innings for Northgate, giving up just two runs while striking out nine on three hits. Through three innings Hoover-Tyler had just two base runners. Segura was 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and a walk.

 Carlos Alvarez had a double for Northgate and two spectacular plays on defense on line drives, one at shortstop and the other at second base. Benny Slaughter was 2 for 4 with a double, Ryan Vanarsdell was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a walk and Anthony Flores had a double.

 For the second night in a row Northgate had problems converting base runners into runs, leaving at least one runner on base every inning and 11in total.



Nor Cal Division II

Juniors

Gridley 13,
Spreckels Park 9

Gridley scored two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to help cement its consolation win on Monday at Foothill High School in Palo Cedro.

Chase Sperbeck went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles, a triple, three RBI and two runs to lead a 14-hit attack for Spreckels Park. Brock Willenbrink was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run for Spreckels Park with other offensive support from Deigo Duarte (3 for 4, two runs), Kenny Wade (2 for 3, triple, run) and Jared Bagley (2 for 4).