A week ago, winning their first seemed like a pretty big deal to the Pacifica American 9-and 10-year-old stars.
That’s small-time stuff now for a team that’s on the brink of doing something even more special.
A stunning power display has carried Pacifica American to the brink of a Northern California Division 2 championship. The 9-and 10-year-olds can win the championship with a victory over Woodcreek (Roseville) tonight in the 7 p.m. title game at Stonehouse Field in Rancho Murieta (near Sacramento).
If Woodcreek wins, the two teams would play again at the same time and venue on Friday because Pacifica is 3-0 in the double-elimination tournament.
“We’re one win away from doing it,” Pacifica manager Steve Falk told Patch.
And they’re one win away from doing it against a team they already beat.
Pacifica is coming off a dramatic10-7 victory over Woodcreek on Tuesday that typified the team’s season, hitting three home runs including two in a decisive five-run sixth.
Andrew Harkness hit a grand slam that highlighted the rally, and Elijah Ricks followed with a solo shot – his second of the game.
Pacifica has homered 20 times in 12 games.
Pacifica opened the tournament with a 8-7 victory over Los Gatos on Saturday and beat Fairfield 16-1 on Sunday.
Woodcreek defeated Fairfield 10-5 on Wednesday to advance to the finals.
The regional tournament is the end of the road for this year’s team, but next year they’ll have a chance to move onto much bigger things in the not-too-distant future.
The 11-and 12-year-old team that Pacifica American feeds would be able to advance to the regional tournament in San Bernardino, and from there, the Little League World Series in Williamsburg, Va., which is broadcast on ESPN.
The 9-and 10-year-olds are on a run that has their coastal city abuzz, Falk said, noting that parents and supporters are making the trek to the Central Valley, with some returning as late as 1 a.m. from Tuesday night’s game.
“I’m getting calls and texts from people all day,” Falk said. “As a whole for the city of Pacifica it’s been a great thing.”
Perhaps the only ones involved who haven’t contextualized this team’s accomplishments are the players themselves.
“In a couple of years they’ll probably appreciate it more but right now they’re just kids having fun,” Falk said.
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