Aliso Viejo Teams Still Alive in Sectionals

(Editor's Note: AVLL President Susan Booth contributed to this story.)

It was nearly a perfect weekend for Aliso Viejo Little League's baseball teams as two advanced to the championship game and another needs to win today in the Section 10 Tournament.

In the Little League division (12 year olds), Aliso Viejo easily defeated West Garden Grove, 11-1, in the opening game Saturday, then came back Sunday to down Ladera Ranch, 10-6, in an exciting back and forth game at Woodfield Park in Aliso Viejo.

Hunter Jump was AV's starting pitcher and also had two home runs in the game. One was a two-run homer to give them a 3-2 lead in the third inning. Connor Kokx scored after Jump with back-to-back home runs. 

Aliso Viejo took its final lead in the fifth inning by scoring five runs on hits from Ryan Poirot, a two-run homer from Jump, a Tyler Jones homer, a double from Chris Pimentel, a single from Jake Briones and a two-run single from Chris Aubort.

Neil Schuller closed it out on the mound by keeping the Ladera team hitless for last two innings, including striking out the side in the top of the sixth for the win. 

Aliso Viejo will play the winner of tomorrow’s loser's bracket game for the championship on Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., at Woodfield Park. If Aliso should lose, a second game would be played Wednesday at the same time in the double elimination tournament.

In the 11-year-old division, Aliso Viejo advanced to the championship game with a 9-6 victory over Tijeras Creek Saturday, followed by a 3-2 nail biter over Huntington Valley Sunday. Evan Fitterer smashed a three-run homer for the win. Aliso will play for the championship Wednesday in Anaheim at the Modjeska Park (6 p.m.)

In the 10-year-old division, Aliso Viejo lost its first game against South Mission Viejo, 7-3, but came back to defeat East Anaheim, 8-4, Sunday. Aliso will face South Mission again Monday, 6:30 p.m., at Youth Athletic Park in Mission Viejo. The winner will advance to the championship game on Tuesday.