La Mesa National’s Pirates Plunder Sunshine Little League’s Padres

A slugfest and stolen-base bonanza propelled the minor division Pirates of the La Mesa National Little League to a 13-3 victory over the Padres of Sunshine Little League Friday afternoon at Kuhlken Field near the La Mesa Community Center.

With the win, the Pirates move into the single-elimination round of the District 33 Tournament of Champions. The Pirates will face a yet-to-be decided opponent at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kuhlken.

The Pirates, first in their group, are 3-1 in the playoffs after defeating Mission Trails 16-8 on Monday and North Park 12-2 on Wednesday.

Pirates’ coach Steve McClure thinks the main reason his team won the minor division championship with a record of 21-2-2 is because “they have really gelled. They really pick each other up.”

“They have a genuine love for what they are doing,” said McClure, who has been coaching Little League for 13 years, six of them with La Mesa National. “They’re a great group. It has been a very fun year.”

In the major division, the Phillies, first in their group with a record of 2-0, face San Carlos at 2 p.m. Saturday at Murphy Canyon Field. Earlier this week, the Phillies beat Tierrasanta 12-2 and Murphy Canyon 4-1.

The minor and major division championships will be held 5 p.m. and  7 p.m. Thursday, respectively, at Murphy Canyon Field at 4500 Damato St. in San Diego.

Local leagues serving La Mesa:

• Fletcher Hills Little League
• Lake Murray Little League
• La Mesa National Little League
• Rolando Little League