Community sports: Visalia Little League wins section title in 12-year-old division

Vongni Yang, Visalia Times-Delta
·7 min read
The Visalia Little League 12-year-old All-Stars won the Little League Northern California Section 7 baseball championship on Saturday in Madera. The championship team, left to right: assistant coach Daniel Saldana, Roman Acevedo, Ezra Ramirez, Joaquin Coronado, Gavin Reiboldt, Jake Westmorland, Daniel Saldana, Kobe Castro, Kyle Montoya, Miguel Rodriguez, Trent Lira, Achilles Perez, manager Daniel Perez.

The Visalia Little League 12-year-old All-Stars won the Little League Northern California Section 7 baseball championship on Saturday in Madera.

In the title game, Visalia beat Madera National 2-0 to punch its ticket to this weekend’s state tournament. Visalia’s Kobe Castro hit a two-run bomb, and pitcher Trent Lira fired 12 strikeouts in a complete-game performance.

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Tulare's Garcia Martial Arts brings home 19 medals (July 7)

Garcia Martial Arts, specializing in Shotokan karate, out of Tulare, attended the Las Vegas USA World Championship on Sunday, June 26, 2022.

Garcia Martial Arts, specializing in Shotokan karate, out of Tulare, attended the Las Vegas USA World Championship on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Nineteen students participated and brought home 19 medals, including 12 first-place titles. Garcia Martial Arts are now preparing to compete in the International Karate Championship at Long Beach in August. The team, pictured, bottom row, left to right, bottom row: Lareyna Munoz, Paublo Hernandez (6 years old, orange belt, second place, point sparring), Isaac Naranjo (7, orange belt, first place, point sparring), Marcos Torres (9, orange belt, first place, point sparring), Maximus Sanchez (6, orange belt, fourth place, point sparring), Julian Garcia (7, purple belt, first place, continuous sparring), Sophia Sevilla, Yamileth Hidalgo (8, orange belt, first place, continuous sparring), Izabella Silva (7, orange belt, third place, point sparring; second place, continuous sparring), Sophia Martinez (5, yellow belt, second place, point sparring); top row, left to right: coach Lupe Ramos, Chelsie Dragt (11, orange belt, first place, point sparring), Braulio Martinez (12, orange belt, first place, point sparring), Seth Anaya (13, orange belt, third place, point sparring; second place, continuous sparring), black belt instructor Jiovani Valdez, Diego Pinzon (15, orange belt, first place, point sparring; first place, continuous sparring), head instructor Abel Garcia, Federico Martinez (12, purple belt, first place, point sparring), Jake Bustamonte (9, orange belt, third place, point sparring), Jillian Medina (9, orange belt, first place, point sparring; second place, continuous sparring), Bella Martinez (8, purple belt, first place, point sparring), black belt instructor Serena Garcia. Not pictured: Sheyla Hidalgo (10, orange belt, second place, point sparring).

Nineteen students participated and brought home 19 medals, including 12 first-place titles.

Garcia Martial Arts are now preparing to compete in the International Karate Championship at Long Beach in August.

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Visalia Shockers win AAU National Tournament (May)

The Visalia Shockers won the 2022 Reno AAU Memorial Day National Tournament in May.

The Shockers defeated Utah United (Provo) 58-40, Jam on It (Reno) 60-51 and NorCal Heat (Chico) 67-56. In the championship game, they topped Splash City (Oakland) 50-42.

The Visalia Shockers won the 2022 Reno AAU Memorial Day National Tournament in May. The Shockers defeated Utah United (Provo) 58-40, Jam on It (Reno) 60-51 and NorCal Heat (Chico) 67-56. In the championship game, they topped Splash City (Oakland) 50-42. The championship team, bottom row, left to right: Justin Lee (Mt. Whitney), Nahir Karimi (Redwood), Joey Saavedra (Mt. Whitney), Zach Scattareggia (Mt. Whitney), Abel Moreno (Golden West); top row, left to right: Tristin Mirwald (Mt. Whitney), Keith Bailey (Mt. Whitney), coach Jason Glick, coach Cameron Scattareggia, and Carter Glick (Mt. Whitney). Saavedra was the tournament’s most valuable player. The tournament’s leading scorers were Carter Glick (25.2 points per game) and Scattareggia (12.4 ppg).

The championship team includes Justin Lee (Mt. Whitney), Nahir Karimi (Redwood), Joey Saavedra (Mt. Whitney), Zach Scattareggia (Mt. Whitney), Abel Moreno (Golden West), Tristin Mirwald (Mt. Whitney), Keith Bailey (Mt. Whitney), coach Jason Glick, coach Cameron Scattareggia, and Carter Glick (Mt. Whitney).

Saavedra was the tournament’s most valuable player. The tournament’s leading scorers were Carter Glick (25.2 points per game) and Scattareggia (12.4 ppg).

The Orioles won the 2022 Visalia Cal Ripken Majors Division championship on May 7 with an 8-3 win over the Rangers. The Orioles finished with an overall record of 19-2, winning the last 17 games in a row. The championship team, back row, left to right: coach Richard Zuniga, coach Marc Griffiths, coach James Derryberry, manager Frank Durazo; middle row, left to right: Parker Schultz, Keaton Yandell, Tristen Ritchie, Pierce Ramos, Matteo Zuniga, Ty Derryberry, James Bahrenburg, Cadillac Pina; front row, left to right: Jaxon Cooper, Jayven Allen, William Graves, and Finn Griffiths.

Orioles win 2022 Visalia Cal Ripken Majors Division championship (May 7)

The Orioles won the 2022 Visalia Cal Ripken Majors Division championship on May 7 with an 8-3 win over the Rangers.

The Orioles finished with an overall record of 19-2, winning the last 17 games in a row.

The championship team includes coach Richard Zuniga, coach Marc Griffiths, coach James Derryberry, manager Frank Durazo, Parker Schultz, Keaton Yandell, Tristen Ritchie, Pierce Ramos, Matteo Zuniga, Ty Derryberry, James Bahrenburg, Cadillac Pina, Jaxon Cooper, Jayven Allen, William Graves, and Finn Griffiths.

The Red Bulls sponsored by Bassett Cricket Ranch won the 2022 NJB 5th/6th Grade Division Championship on Feb. 27 with a 31-19 victory over the Clippers, concluding a 9-1 season. The championship team, front row, left to right: Jackson McCullar, Jaden Herrera, Tysen Bassett; middle row: Adam Childress, Andrew Plyman, Elijah Amaro, Pierce Ramos, Luke Gocke; back row: assistant coach Chris Gocke, Andrew “AJ” Ruvalcaba, and head coach Russell Bassett. Not Pictured: Christian Cobos.

Red Bulls claim 2022 NJB championship (Feb. 27)

The Red Bulls sponsored by Bassett Cricket Ranch won the 2022 NJB 5th/6th Grade Division Championship on Feb. 27 with a 31-19 victory over the Clippers, concluding a 9-1 season.

The championship team includes Jackson McCullar, Jaden Herrera, Tysen Bassett, Adam Childress, Andrew Plyman, Elijah Amaro, Pierce Ramos, Luke Gocke, assistant coach Chris Gocke, Andrew “AJ” Ruvalcaba, head coach Russell Bassett and Christian Cobos.

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The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu youth team Speedy BJJ, of Tulare, placed first in the Golden State Cup on Aug. 14, 2021 in Stockton. The team includes, top row, left to right: Dustan Wheeler (2nd), Kyle Rening (3rd), Adam Martinez (2nd), Jesus Gonzalez (coach); middle row, left to right: Raul Meraz III (3rd), Roman Solez (1st), Jared Torres (1st), Dylan Costa (1st), Jasmin Gonzalez(1st), Marisa Gonzalez (3rd), Rio Rening (1st); bottom row, left to right: Dustan Wheeler, Emma Boss (1st), Jesus Gonzalez (2nd), Hayden Ormonde (1st), Hunter Ormonde (4th), Bishop Rening (3rd), Marisela Gonzalez (1st). Not Pictured: Mason Ortiz (4th).

Speedy BJJ places first at Golden State Cup (Aug. 14, 2021)

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team Speedy BJJ, of Tulare, participated in the Golden State Cup on Aug. 14, 2021 in Stockton.

Thirteen out of 16 youth competitors medaled in their division and the two adult competitors each medaled.

Overall, the youth team placed first for the youth organization out of more than 126 organizations. The team includes, top row, left to right: Dustan Wheeler (2nd), Kyle Rening (3rd), Adam Martinez (2nd), Jesus Gonzalez (coach); middle row, left to right: Raul Meraz III (3rd), Roman Solez (1st), Jared Torres (1st), Dylan Costa (1st), Jasmin Gonzalez(1st), Marisa Gonzalez (3rd), Rio Rening (1st); bottom row, left to right: Dustan Wheeler, Emma Boss (1st), Jesus Gonzalez (2nd), Hayden Ormonde (1st), Hunter Ormonde (4th), Bishop Rening (3rd), Marisela Gonzalez (1st). Not Pictured: Mason Ortiz (4th).

The Sequoia Softball 8U all-star team, of Visalia, captured the Little League Central Valley Section Softball Championship on July 3rd, defeating Turlock National. This was the first time the Central Valley Section held an all-star tournament for the 8U softball division. The championship team, front row, left to right: Yesmina Briceno, Maeve Blaco, Evalyn Fraticelli, Alexis-Rose Esqueda, Rebecca Reynoso, Addison Cooper; middle row, left to right: Jane Newell, Poppy Gomez, Emilyn Dillon, Sophia Bartolotti, Jayla Padilla, Erica Quinley; back row, left to right: coaches Joleen Quinley, Jennifer Newell, Eric Gomez and Rodney Blaco.

Sequoia Softball captures section championship (Aug. 13)

The Sequoia Softball 8U all-star team, of Visalia, captured the Little League Central Valley Section Softball Championship on July 3, defeating Turlock National.

This was the first time the Central Valley Section held an all-star tournament for the 8U softball division.

The championship team includes Yesmina Briceno, Maeve Blaco, Evalyn Fraticelli, Alexis-Rose Esqueda, Rebecca Reynoso, Addison Cooper, Jane Newell, Poppy Gomez, Emilyn Dillon, Sophia Bartolotti, Jayla Padilla, Erica Quinley and coaches Joleen Quinley, Jennifer Newell, Eric Gomez and Rodney Blaco.

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Redwood’s Joey Volchko gets to first as the throw gets past Golden West's Jonathon Ortega in a West Yosemite League high school baseball game on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
Redwood’s Joey Volchko gets to first as the throw gets past Golden West's Jonathon Ortega in a West Yosemite League high school baseball game on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

Tulare County high school players selected to Oakland A's area code team (Aug. 6)

Redwood High School baseball players Reece Bueno and Joey Volchko and Tulare Western's Jack Anker and Justin Cuellar were all selected to the Oakland Athletics' area code teams.

The aforementioned players were each invited to a tryout through an MLB scout and earned a spot on the A's squad. Anker, Bueno, Cuellar and Volchko are all pitchers.

Bueno, Cuellar and Volchko will now compete against the top 150 underclassmen in the nation in a three-day Area Code Baseball showcase on Aug. 12-14 at Loyola Marymount University. Only seven regional MLB underclassmen teams throughout the nation are invited: A's, Brewers, Nationals, White Sox, Rangers, Yankees and Reds.

Anker will compete against the top 220 high school players from across the country from the class of 2022 and 2023 at the Area Code Baseball showcase on Aug. 7-11 at the University of San Diego.

Tulare Western's Jack Anker pitches against Mt. Whitney in a non-league high school baseball game on Thursday, April 8, 2021.
Tulare Western's Jack Anker pitches against Mt. Whitney in a non-league high school baseball game on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

Scouts from all 30 Major League teams and top college coaches will be in attendance.

Bueno and Volchko were both on varsity as a sophomore this past season, helping Redwood advance to the Central Section Division I quarterfinals.

Volchko is a Stanford verbal commit. Bueno has received recruiting interest from Stanford, USC, Cal, Oregon and Washington.

Anker, an incoming senior, has verbally committed to Fresno State. Anker and Cuellar helped Tulare Western win an East Yosemite League title last season as the Mustangs advanced to the Central Section Division I quarterfinals.

Redwood High School baseball player Reece Bueno was selected to the Oakland Athletics' area code underclass team.
Redwood High School baseball player Reece Bueno was selected to the Oakland Athletics' area code underclass team.
Tulare Western's Justin Cuellar bats against Mt. Whitney in a non-league high school baseball game on Thursday, April 8, 2021.
Tulare Western's Justin Cuellar bats against Mt. Whitney in a non-league high school baseball game on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

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The Exeter Women’s Water Polo Club 18-and-under squad finished 20th overall at last week’s USA Water Polo Junior Olympics in Southern California. The team includes, top right, left to right: top row, left to right: Erin Hirni (Exeter Union High School), Meg Gostanian (Golden West High School), Olivia Machado (Tulare Western High School), Regan Azevedo (Monache High School), Ariana Fregoso (Golden West High School), Ava Lobue (Monache High School), Madison Bounds (Porterville High School), Alicia Fregoso (Biola University), coach Jack Amaral; bottom row, left to right: Anissa Borges (Tulare Union High School), Paulina Cemo (Harmony Magnet Academy), Abigail Summers (Golden West High School), Finnlee Morgan (Redwood High School), Karlie Wanmer (Porterville High School), Nicole Tristao (Tulare Western High School). Not pictured: Ahna Davis (Porterville High School).

Exeter water polo club competes at Junior Olympics (July 30)

The Exeter Women's Water Polo Club represented Tulare County at the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics last week in Southern California.

More than 40 athletes competed for a spot on the 18- and 16-and-under teams. Twenty-seven athletes from Porterville, Tulare, Visalia and Strathmore were selected to participate in the tournament.

The 18U squad played seven games in a four-day span and finished 20th overall. Six players from that team will be playing water polo at the collegiate level next year: Alicia Fregoso (Biola University), Karlie Wanmer (Biola University), Meg Gostanian (California State University, Monterey Bay), Ava Lobue (Biola University), Paulina Cemo (Biola University) and Abigail Summers (California State University, Monterey Bay).

“My last Junior Olympic experience was super memorable,” Lobue said. “It was really exciting to go back to this tournament. We didn't get to go to last year due to COVID.  It's always an amazing tournament with stiff competition. This Junior Olympics was my last time playing with the Exeter Club, so it was bittersweet, but I know I'll still be playing in the years to come at Biola University.”

The Exeter Water Polo Club 16-and-under squad placed 11th overall and finished with a 3-4 record at last week’s USA Water Polo Junior Olympics in Southern California. The team includes, top row, left to right: Skylar Malone (Monache High School), Devon Cardoza (Tulare Western High School), Aubrie Cardoza (Porterville High School), Adelyne Merritt (Porterville High School), Ahna Davis (Porterville High School), Annmarie Patterson (Harmony Magnet Academy), Liliana Gonzales (Redwood High School), Tayler Drummonds (Golden West High School), Kambria Weaver (Summit Charter Intermediate Academy); bottom row, left to right: Shayla Summers (Golden West High School), Hayden Cardoza (Saint Annes), Riley Yagle (Redwood High School), coach Shanti Reisinger and Ava Alvarado (Tulare Western High School). Not pictured: Clare Gonzales (Redwood High School), Gianna Fernandes (Tulare Western High School), Bridget Benegar (Golden West High School).

The 16U team placed 11th overall and finished with a 3-4 record. Two of their losses were only by two goals. The team's defense was led by Porterville High School's Ahna Davis. Davis tallied over 100 saves in seven games. The first game was won in a shootout with Davis blocking four of five shots.

The 16U team was coached by Exeter Water Polo Club alumni, Shanti Reisinger, who went on to play at Sierra College and San Diego State University.

“It was a fun experience going down south to compete in Junior Olympics,” Devon Cardoza said, who also plays at Tulare Western High School. “I got to know my team better and had a great experience playing against teams from all over.”

The Visalia Youth Baseball 10U All-Star team competed in the 2021 Cal Ripken Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament on July 19-24 in Price, Utah. The team came in third place, losing to Hawaii in the semifinal game. The third-place team includes, bottom row, left to right: Connor Gostanian, Kash Lynch, Beckett Ramos (bat boy), Tysen Bassett, Christian Cobos, Cooper Roebuck; middle row, left to right: Falcon Briggs, Brody Luna, Jaxon Cooper, Jaxsyn Stinebaugh, Christian Luna, Pierce Ramos; back row, left to right: coach Travis Stinebaugh, manager Frank Durazo and coach Lucio Cobos. Not Pictured: coach Derek Marsh and player Parker MacDonald.

Visalia’s 10U all-star team places 3rd at regional tournament (July 30)

The Visalia Youth Baseball 10U All-Star team competed in the 2021 Cal Ripken Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament on July 19-24 in Price, Utah.

The Visalia all-stars came in third place, losing to Hawaii in the semifinal game.

The third-place team is coached by coach Travis Stinebaugh, manager Frank Durazo, coach Lucio Cobos and coach Derek Marsh. Members of the team include Connor Gostanian, Kash Lynch, Beckett Ramos (bat boy), Tysen Bassett, Christian Cobos, Cooper Roebuck, Falcon Briggs, Brody Luna, Jaxon Cooper, Jaxsyn Stinebaugh, Christian Luna, Pierce Ramos and Parker MacDonald.

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The Visalia Wolf Pack 12U youth baseball team won the 2021 Time Traveler Showdown Tournament in June at the Ballparks of America facility in Branson, Missouri. The championship team, top row, left to right: coach Brady Johnston, coach Steve McElmoyl, coach Mark Atkins, coach Junior Trevino, head coach Chase McElree; middle row, left to right; Wyatt McElree, Nate Ramirez, Macade Atkins, Aidan Trevino, Tanner Brown, Jack Volchko, Graeden Garcia; bottom row, left to right: Aden Robles, Beau Krauss, Jett Johnston, Cade McElmoyl, Tanner Garnett.

Visalia Wolf Pack win Time Traveler showdown title (July 10)

The Visalia Wolf Pack 12U youth baseball team won the 2021 Time Traveler Showdown Tournament in June at the Ballparks of America facility in Branson, Missouri.

The Wolf Pack went undefeated during tournament play, going 9-0, and defeated Daytona Beach Lightning in the championship game. Twenty-eight teams competed in the tournament.

The championship team is coached by Brady Johnston, Steve McElmoyl, Mark Atkins, Junior Trevino and head coach Chase McElree. Members of the championship team include Wyatt McElree, Nate Ramirez, Macade Atkins, Aidan Trevino, Tanner Brown, Jack Volchko, Graeden Garcia, Aden Robles, Beau Krauss, Jett Johnston, Cade McElmoyl and Tanner Garnett.

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Vongni Yang is a sports reporter for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. He covers Tulare County sports. Follow him on Twitter @Vongni. To support his continued coverage of local sports, subscribe today.

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This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visalia Little League wins section title in 12-year-old division