Pleasanton National Little League, Big Blue won the District 57 All Star Tournament on Thursday (July 15) defeating Livermore American's fine team 6 to 5 in dramatic, come-back fashion.

The game didn't start off to Pleasanton's liking, going 1-2-3 in the top of the first inning. Then it got a bit scary as Livermore led off their half of the first with a solid double, and the runner advancing to third base on a fielder's choice. But pitcher Ryan Wilson struck out the next batter, and then retired the side on an infield ground ball. So things were looking OK after shutting out Livermore in the bottom of the first; 0-0 after one.

Pleasanton again was no threat in the second inning, going down 1-2-3. Livermore struck first in the home team's half of the second. A two-run home run and two RBI singles put Livermore up 4-0 at the end of two.

Another 1-2-3 inning for Livermore's defense against Pleasanton made things look bleak after 3 innings of play. The top of the order came up for Pleasanton in the fourth inning and speedy Kean Stancil got Pleasanton's first hit of the game. Garrett Moore then rapped a base hit to shallow right and Kean, trying to advance to third, drew a wild throw from the defense. The ball stayed in play after hitting a Pleasanton coach, but Kean was able to score and the batter-runner took third. With one run already in and a runner on third with no outs, things were looking up. To Livermore's credit, they really came through, holding the runner on third as they retired the next three Pleasanton batters. 4-1 after four.

Kean Stancil showed his defensive skills, saving an important run (and, as you can see in the first of the three pictures, really frustruating the Livermore 3rd base coach). His dive towards the 3rd baseline and perfect throw to first base robbed the Livermore batter of a hit and an RBI.

(click a picture for full view)

Livermore got a run in the fifth inning returning their lead to four runs. PNLL entered the last inning down 5-1. Without a doubt, some fans looked at watches, likely thinking how to kill the hour before the next game where Pleasanton would face the same Livermore team in this double elimination tournament. Lucky those fans didn't leave early...

Big Blue opened the top of the sixth inning with two of the first three batters reaching base safely. With one out, Andrew Bailey was at bat and Jeff Siragusa, who had hit two home runs in one inning during the tournament, was on deck. There was a fighting chance. If Andrew can get on base in any way, Jeff comes to bat representing the tying run.

Livermore pitched very aggressively to keep a third runner off the bases. So Jeff came up with only the opportunity to bring Pleasanton within one run. He delivered! Another long blast over the fence in right-center field made the score Pleasanton 4 - Livermore 5. Pleasanton was down to their final out with no runners on base.

Livermore committed a huge mistake by walking the next batter Brian McGarry and bringing Cameron Lenz to the plate. With Big Blue down to their final out and a 2 ball - 2 strike count, Cameron made "The Swing"

Before the swing, Big Blue was losing 4 to 5 and down to their last out of the game...
During the swing, Cameron Lenz gritted his teeth and kept his eyes on the ball...
After the swing, Pleasanton National was only three outs from being District champions!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

The crowd went nuts, Pleasanton's coaches went nuts, the team went NUTS !!!

Big Blue had come back from 4 runs down to take the lead. Only three outs stood between them and the District 57 championship. Ryan Wilson, who pitched a masterful complete game, had no trouble retiring the next three Livermore batters without incident. Game over. 6 to 5 Pleasanton - their first All Star Championship in 28 years! Let the parties begin! (But not too many parties, we have the Section 3 Tournament on Saturday.)