The All Stars celebrate their victory over Section 1.

The Alameda All Stars in the 9-10 age bracket cannot be stopped this year. In a game held July 25, Alameda defeated Davis to claim victory over Section 1 in their bid for the state title.

Michael Perri pitched for Alameda and held Davis scoreless in the first inning after a strikeout and fly out to center fielder Christian Leung. Davis’s coach received a call against him for interference when he blocked access to a pop fly. The umpire awarded third baseman Ryan Fong the catch.

Alameda then scored Kenny Swain and Perri with an RBI from Erik VanWinkle in the bottom of the first. Davis answered with three runs in the top of the second taking back the lead.

Alameda regained the advantage in the bottom half of the second when Drew Huie, Kevin Kinney and Swain all scored. Teammember Michael Plaisance coached first base during the bottom of the second.

Controversy developed in the early innings as four Alameda players were hit by pitches but Davis’s pitcher stayed on the mound. Alameda’s catcher Kinney continued to play despite a painful injury to his shoulder after being hit.

Both teams were scoreless in the third. Huie delivered the first out unassisted at first base, Perri threw to shortstop Erik VanWinkle for a second out and a strikeout retired the side.

Alameda added a run in the fourth when Christian Leung scored Perri. Davis went down in order on a pop fly to Fong at third, a strike out and a long fly to Robbie Achramowicz in right. Neither team scored in the fifth.

Photo courtesy Joe Van Winkle

Left fielder Rory D’Alleva-Keane makes contact in a recent victory for his championship-winning 9-10 Alameda All-Star team.

Davis went into the top of the sixth down 6-3. With Alameda struggling, Davis scored a run and loaded the bases with only one out. VanWinkle came in to relieve Perri. Left fielder Rory D’Alleva-Keane caught a huge fly ball for the second out, but Davis scored again. Swain slapped a tag on second for the final out. Davis held the lead after six innings, 7-6.

Alameda needed two runs to win. D’Alleva-Keane’s walk pushed in Achramowicz for the tying run. Huie’s explosive hit past first base drove VanWinkle home for the win. Alameda defeated Davis 8-7, and took home the Little League Baseball Section 1 Championship banner.

The Alameda All Stars now advance to the District II level tournament in Rocklin, Calif., which will determine the Northern California state champion.