Down 5-0 after the first and a half, Serpientes kept 13 clean sheets to advance to the city title round on Monday.

“I’m really proud to have the team back, and we’ve been doing it all year. Sometimes it’s a slow start, but if you stick to the game plan, the hits start and you get lucky. Yes, that’s Little League baseball,” said Serpientes manager Joshua Close.

After a long week of double-elimination tournaments, the depth of pitching depth for both teams was put to the test as their regular starting pitchers were unable to go after pitching in previous games. Both teams had a total of 16 walks over five innings, 11 of which were for Serpientes.

At-bat discipline was key for Serpientes, with 11 hitters each getting on base at least once and eight scoring at least one run. The 8th through 11th hitters Braden Ignas, Caden Henry, Austin Scholz, and Nolan Ramirez each made at least two base appearances and scored at least one run, so even the bottom of the standings was fruitful. rice field.

“Everybody is ready to step up when it matters. If we train as a team, it can happen,” Close said.

The Snakes got off to a strong start, leading 5-0 at the end of the second inning. The early highlight of the game was Brisson Barkar’s two-RBI single. With the Snakes in good shape, it looked like a big win in their favor.

However, Serpientes started a counterattack at the bottom of the frame.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Ramirez hit a bunt to reach first base and Sawyer Turley scored. After that, Ignas, Scholz and Remi Larsen each scored to close the gap to 5-4.

In the top of the third, the Snakes looked to extend their lead, but Grayson Wolfe was thrown out before he could score.

Serpientes tied the score at 5-5 with an RBI single by Cade Kahnbach in the bottom of the third. He then scored on a wild pitch and Turley added a run to take the lead 7–5. They will never lose their lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Austin Close hit a triple to score Larsen to make it 8–5.

In the top of the fifth, the Snakes had a chance to tie the game. Runners were on second and third bases, and a player who could be a tie runner stood at bat. However, Kahnbach, who pitched in relief, struck out and blocked the runner.

Adding five more points was just a bonus for Serpientes, who won in five due to the time limit rule.

With this win, Serpientes will face the West Flagstaff Little League Serpents in the championship round. The Serpentes have yet to lose in the double-elimination bracket, so they need to beat the Serpents twice to clinch the title. But if they put up a good performance, the East Side teams have a chance.

“We have all the pitchers and the kids are on track,” Close said.