46°F
weather icon Clear

All-Stars win Little League state title

Finding redemption after last year’s heartbreaking loss, Boulder City Little League Junior All-Stars claimed the Nevada championship on Sunday, July 21, defeating Mountain Ridge from District 4, 8-7.

Representing District 2, Boulder City rallied with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to knock off Mountain Ridge in a game that featured seven lead changes.

“It felt amazing for this group to go to the state tournament again, but to win it for Boulder City is an amazing feeling,” said player, Hunter Moore, who went 2 for 4 with an RBI. “We worked very hard to win the game, because we beat them pretty good earlier but they gave us a great game in the championship. It feels amazing to be champions.”

Boulder City went ahead 3-2 in the fourth, but Mountain Ridge stormed back with three runs to retake the lead. Battling back with two runs in the sixth, Boulder City went up 6-5 before Mountain Ridge answered with a pair of runs.

Boulder City scored the tying and go-ahead runs in the seventh, the latter coming on Jeremy Spencer’s sacrifice fly.

Boulder City ended the game with a quick three outs, with Dylan Spencer on the mound to claim the state title the team had been waiting a year to capture.

“I’m very proud of the kids and the way they played,” head coach Clint Spencer said. “The first two games finished with a (10-run) mercy rule, but they didn’t let it get to their heads. I reminded all of them that in baseball, on any given day, anything can happen. Our championship game showed that these boys have the fight — to be able to come back and earn redemption for last year. They wanted to show that this group might have lost once at state but they weren’t going to again.”

Coming up big in the championship game, Dylan Spencer finished 1 for 4 with two runs batted in. Jeremy Spencer finished 2 for 3 with an RBI. Cameron Calvez finished 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Jeremy Spencer pitched four innings, allowing four runs, two unearned, off of three hits with three strikeouts. Coming in for relief, Dylan Spencer pitched three innings, allowing three unearned runs on one hit to earn the victory.

Simply dominant throughout the state tournament, Boulder City routed Mountain Ridge 10-0 earlier and High Desert 12-2 in the opening round.

Blanking Mountain Ridge in five innings, Connor Solberg was Boulder City’s lone pitcher, allowing only three hits with five strikeouts.

Solberg also doubled in a pair of runs, while Jeremy Spencer finished 3 for 4 with an RBI.

Against High Desert, Colton Harthgrove pitched five innings, allowing two unearned runs on two hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Carrying heavy bats,

Jeremy Spencer finished 1 for 3 with three runs batted in. Calvez (2 for 3), Dylan Spencer (1 for 3) and Jack Clary (1 for 2) all added two RBIs apiece.

With the state championship in hand, Boulder City will now make its way to regional play in San Jose, California. Bracket play has yet to be determined for Boulder City’s first game Friday, but coach Spencer is confident in his group, regardless of its opponent.

“We’re going to go out there and play the way we know how,” he said. “We’re very excited to represent the state of Nevada and I’m confident in the boys’ ability to get the job done.”

“This is our second trip to regionals in three years and that says something about this town and the support our players receive from the community. The league is growing due to the hard work and perseverance of the players, their families and an active board of directors. We hope this is just the start for Boulder City youth baseball,” said Katie Kilar president of the league board.

Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
All for a good cause

Photos by Ian Cruz/Boulder City Review

Home-course edge helps Eagles soar

Competing at Boulder City Municipal on March 26, Boulder City High School boys golf defeated Pahrump Valley (359) and Canyon Springs (486).

Volleyball upends defending state champs

Already the pride of the 3A classification, Boulder City High School boys volleyball took the next step in their dominance, defeating 4A state champion Basic on March 31.

Eagles above .500 with win

Finishing 2-1 in this last week’s slate, Boulder City High School baseball advanced to 9-8 on the season after some late inning heroics.

Eagles play comeback kids

Boulder City High School baseball advanced to 7-7 on the season, picking up victories in their last two outings.

Volleyball, track prove proficient

Advancing to 7-4 on the season, Boulder City High School boys volleyball routed Canyon Springs 3-0 on March 24.

Lady Eagles have outscored 3A foes 47-0

Picking up their third victory of the season against a 3A opponent, Boulder City High School softball routed Western 19-0 on March 24.

Eagles perfect against 3A schools

Remaining undefeated against 3A opponents, Boulder City High School baseball routed Mojave and Democracy Prep during this past week’s play.

Eagles remain hot on court

Remaining undefeated in 3A play, Boulder City High School boys volleyball routed Western 3-0 on March 12.

Rogers hurls one-hitter against rival Moapa Valley

Starting the season with some momentum, the Lady Eagles remained undefeated in 3A play, picking up an impressive 13-0 victory over rival Moapa Valley on March 12.