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Petaluma National Little League Finish 3rd in World Series

Posted by Brandon Weaver | Wed, Aug 29, 2012 @ 12:05 PM

The Petaluma National League team comprised of 13 youngsters just completed two weeks of baseball they will never forget. Clutch hitting, superb pitching, national TV coverage on ESPN, a game for the ages and many signed autographs later, the team will now live in little league lore.

Here's a recap of the team's Little League World Series appearance in South Williamsport, PA:

Game 1: Petaluma 6 New England 4

Fresh off their thrilling victory over Hawaii in the West Regional Final, Petaluma faced New England in their opening game of the Little League World Series. Bradley Smith smacked a 2-run HR in the third inning and Austin Paretti added a 2-run single in the fifth inning helping Petaluma advance to the next round. New England rallied late with two runs in the last inning, but this proved to be too-little-too-late as Petaluma's Porter Slate and Danny Marzo teamed up for a game ending double play.

Game 2: Southeast 9 Petaluma 6

Game two featured a tight contest throughout. Porter Slate, Bradley Smith, Kempton Brandis and Cole Tomei each homered for Petaluma. Going into the last inning the game was tied at 5. Unfortunately, Tennessee enjoyed clutch hitting including a 2-run HR that sealed the victory for the Southeast boys. The loss forced Petaluma into the loser's bracket, having to play the very next day while Tennessee received two days off before their next game. Little did we know at the time this game was only a preview of what was to come in the U.S. Championship game.

Game 3: Petaluma 5 Mid-Atlantic 4

Petaluma had not lost two games in a row all season long, and this was not about to change versus the talented Mid-Atlantic team. Facing a 4-3 deficit, Petaluma scored two late runs in extra innings to stay alive, capped off by a walk-off HR by Danny Marzo. Just seconds before the dramatic at-bat, NBC Bay Area writes Manager Eric Smith is quoted as saying, "you can't be thinking walk-off HR... you have to be thinking base hit." What better feeling for any athlete than to end a game in such dramatic fashion!

Game 4: Petaluma 5 New England 0

Quinton Gago was the headline performer of game 4 for Petaluma, tossing a 2-hit shutout. If not for Little League pitch counts (85 pitches) Gago would have pitched a complete game. Pitching was not the whole story, however. Hance Smith smacked a 3-run HR in the bottom of the third inning, providing more than enough offense for Gago. By defeating New England, Petaluma was now back in the winner's bracket and on a collision course and rematch with Tennessee.

Game 5: Petaluma 11 Southwest 1

Manager Eric Smith's son, power-hitting Hance Smith was the star of game 5. Hance Smith crushed a grand slam in the very first inning putting Texas into a big hole they would never recover from. If that wasn't enough, Smith launched another HR in the bottom of the third inning. Needless to say, the 10-run rule was in effect as Petaluma's lead grew to 11-1, ending the game in just the fifth inning. This win set up a rematch with Tennessee in the U.S. championship game and a chance at the overall little league world title.

Game 6 - U.S. Championship: Southeast 24 Petaluma 16

In a game that rivals an NFL score, the U.S. championship game lived up to all of the hype and proved to be an epic game in every way possible. Petaluma started slow and found themselves facing a 15-5 deficit heading to the bottom of the sixth inning. This was only the beginning. Virtually everyone on the team had a hand in this thrilling 10-run comeback to tie the game 15. Kempton Brandis blistered a 2-run HR to cut the Tennessee lead to one, famously throwing his arms up as soon as the ball left his bat. Hance Smith followed with a deep shot of his own to center field, sending the team and Petaluma players in a frenzy as the sold out crowd cheered in awe and disbelief.

Unfortunately, Tennessee responded with 9 runs of their own in the top of the seventh inning and ultimately advancing to the Little League World Series title game versus juggernaut Japan. However, Petaluma became the darlings of the entire tournament with their incredible effort, timely hitting and flare for the dramatic in what is already being considered an instant classic.

Game 7 - 3rd Place Consolation Game: Petaluma 12 Latin America 4

With their second loss to Tennessee, Petaluma was not eliminated. Instead they advanced to the consolation game versus Panama. Right out of the gates Petaluma exploded with four runs in each of the first two innings. The boys cruised to a win as victory was never really in doubt. The consolation game win capped off a 5-2 record in the Little League World Series and 3rd place finish in the world. We think it's safe to say these 13 little leaguers are officially rock stars and have big futures ahead of them.

Petaluma Little League CrossCheck limoWithout question the entire bay area is certainly proud of the players and coaching staff. In an effort to show just how proud we are of the team, CrossCheck employees sponsored a stretch limousine hummer for the team once they arrived in San Francisco and received a police escort home. We have also compiled an extensive Facebook album complete with pictures of the team's arrival at the airport and Petaluma homecoming. The Petaluma community will officially welcome the team in a parade Sunday, September 2nd at 1pm full of confetti cannons, photo opportunities, player introductions and many congratulations.

Stay tuned for our next article as we will recap the team's parade and complete wrap up video of the Petaluma National Little League heroes!

 

Written by Brandon Weaver