Historic Eastvale Little League Team Ends One Game Short of World Series

Eastvale Little League

Though the West Region of the Little League World Series has been located next door in San Bernardino for 67 years, no team from Riverside County has ever even reached the Regional Tournament, never mind advancing to the World Series in Williamsport, PA. Until this year.

The Eastvale Little League All-Stars put the still-young city on the youth baseball map this summer, sweeping through the 10-team Southern California State Tournament, even after dropping its first game in the double-elimination event. They swept the next 7 tilts sending the newly-crowned SoCal champs 28 miles up I-15 to Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino.

Eastvale Little League. Eastvale second basemen Carson Tatum makes a futile dive for a ground ball into right field . — Eastvale second basemen Carson Tatum makes a futile dive for a ground ball into right field. Photo by Jerry Soifer

In the 77 years since the first LL World Series in 1947, only months after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Southern California has won more championships than any other United States region. El Segundo earned the region’s 7^thWorld Series title last year, after capturing Southern California’s 10^th West Regional title.

Eastvale catcher Grady Gentner watches as Maui East Central's Evan Tavares scores. — Eastvale catcher Grady Gentner watches as Maui East Central’s Evan Tavares scores. Photo by Jerry Soifer

Facing the champs from Northern California, Hawaii, and Arizona Eastvale took the first two games, a 4-0 shutout of Arizona followed by an 11-2 win over Central East Maui Little League All-Stars from Wailuku, Hawaii.

This time it was the Pacific Island club that emerged from the losing bracket to claim the championship, with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Eastvale.

Maui East Central celebrates its victory, sending the team to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA., where it opened against the East Regional Champion, Salem, New Hampshire. Photo by Jerry Soifer

Following the game, the players, families, friends, and fans of both squads, professed great respect for their opponent, speaking with pride of the competitiveness and sportsmanship exhibited by all.

The champions from Maui defeated the New England champs from Salem, New Hampshire, 3-1 on Wednesday, throwing a one-hitter in Williamsport. They face the Great Lakes Champs from, Hinsdale Illinois today, Friday. The tournament championship game is on Sunday, August 25th, featuring the winners of the United States and International brackets.

Jerry Soifer contributed reporting from San Bernardino

The Eastvale Little League All-Stars, with Grady Gentner (#10 center), are dejected after they lost, 2-1, to Maui Central East, Wailuku, Hawai'i in the Regional final in front of 12,000 fans at the West Regional Stadium in San Bernardino. — The Eastvale Little League All-Stars, with Grady Gentner (#10 center), are dejected after they lost, 2-1, to Maui Central East, Wailuku, Hawai’i in the Regional final in front of 12,000 fans at the West Regional Stadium in San Bernardino. Photo by Jerry Soifer

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