LIVERMORE, CA — One Tri-Valley team will play for the Little League Intermediate 50/70 World Series Championship game. It's just a question which one. One thing's certain, though: a Tri-Valley team will be crowned the best intermediate Little League team in the United States.
On Saturday, Bollinger Canyon Little League of San Ramon will take on the Granada/Livermore Little League to see who will play in Sunday's championship, marking the first time two East Bay teams have competed for the U.S. title. The game also marks the first time that a San Ramon team has competed for the U.S. championship.
The matchup marks the fifth time the two teams have met this summer, in a series tied 2-2. Bollinger Canyon earned an automatic berth into the World Series after winning the California District 57 championship over Granada/Livermore, while Granada/Livermore gained a spot by winning the West Region tournament in Arizona.
Bollinger Canyon started the World Series off strong last Sunday with an 8-5 win over Southeast champion Bayshore Little League of Tampa, but then lost 16-6 to Granada. The team rallied back with three consecutive victories to earn a rematch, which included a dramatic comeback from an eight-run deficit.
"Down 10-2 in the 4th inning, our BCLL team refused to quit," the team said on Instagram. "They battled back inning by inning before delivering an unforgettable walk-off, two-run double with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th to keep their World Series run alive."
Granada/Livermore, meanwhile, scored three wins over the past week, including a 17-0 victory over Central champion Fargo Little League of North Dakota.
"This team has represented our community with grit, heart, and relentless hustle all summer long. Let's pack the stands one more time and show them what hometown support looks like," Granada said on Instagram.
On Thursday, Bollinger defeated Fargo 25-0.
Whoever wins will play the international champion — either Puerto Rico or the West Seoul Little League from South Korea — in Sunday's Intermediate Little League World Series championship.
"This rivalry has been everything you could ask for. The season series is tied, both teams have battled through an incredible summer, and now they'll meet one final time with a trip to the World Championship on the line," Bollinger Canyon said.
Saturday's game will take place at 5 p.m. at Max Baer Park in Livermore. It can be viewed on ESPN+. Sunda's championship takes place 6 p.m. in Livermore.
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