ORLAND, CA (MPG) - Despite not having a full squad throughout the entire tournament, Gridley Little League’s Juniors baseball team battled in the District 47 All-Star Tournament and concluded a very successful season. For the 13-15 year old age group where a lot of young baseball players call it quits after many years of Little League, this group of athletic and talented young men showed perseverance whenever adversity presented itself.

The Gridley Juniors baseball All-Star team got their tournament play started in Orland on Saturday, June 22nd, against a Durham team which a vast majority of the Gridley team had already faced in the District 47 Tournament of Champions championship game where Gridley fell 18-3. This go around, with a stronger squad, Gridley battled hard and gave Durham a better run for their money. Although they fell again to Durham 13-7, their hopes of success were still alive knowing they played better against a worthy opponent.

After a few days rest Gridley Juniors baseball got back on the field in Orland on Tuesday, June 25th, this time against a tough opponent in Chico Eastside, who previously lost to Lake Oroville. For six strong innings both teams battled back and forth before Gridley proved to be victorious with a 3-2 score, advancing in the loser’s bracket, and knocking Chico out of the tournament.

Two days later, Thursday, June 27th, Gridley took to the diamond again in Orland, this time against Paradise. Joel Garcia pitched the entire game in dominating fashion, giving up zero runs scored behind an electric offense that was missing a number of players. Gridley eliminated Paradise from the tournament with a score of 11-0 to see another day in the All-Star tournament.

The next day, Gridley faced off against Lake Oroville, in a game to determine who would play in the championship round against Durham. Again, down players, and without Garcia to pitch due to Little League rest days rule, Gridley fought hard despite the adversity, and jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the game. A late surge by Lake Oroville was too much for Gridley, and they fell by a score of 15-5 to end their tournament run.

The Gridley Juniors baseball players had a great run in the Tournament of Champions and throughout All-Stars this year. Congratulations to all the coaches and players on a successful season.