DRALL Wins Section 4 Championship

Del Rey Little League 2022 Section 4 Champions!

By Vickie Farmer

Congratulations to the Del Rey American Little League (DRALL) 12U team for finishing second in the SoCal State Tournament and making it further than any DRALL team in the league’s 68 years! It was a season for the record books for the DRALL All-Stars who first competed in the District 37 All-Stars’ tournament and ended with a clean-sweep winning district titles in all divisions (10U, 11U and 12U). DRALL’s 12U team had an impressive opening game, scoring 10 runs in the first inning, including six home runs by Robbie H., Mason K., Julian K. Smith, Enzo R. and Aiden W. DRALL continued to overpower the competition, outscoring their opponents 52-4 during the tournament to take the district title. Next up for DRALL came sectionals where the 10U and 11U teams fell to the competition and were eliminated. DRALL’s 12U team continued with their impressive performance, outscoring opponents 21-2, including two wins over Torrance Little League (who represented the West region in the 2021 Little League World Series). In sectionals, the 12U team was led by home runs by Elliot R. (2), Smith C., Jayden B. and Robbie H., and with remarkable pitching from Enzo R., Will N. and Julian K., DRALL came out on top of the Section 4 tournament defeating Torrance Little League 3-2 to clinch their first Sectional Title since 1980!

DRALL then made the trek to Eastvale, California to challenge the SoCal State Championship. In their first match-up, DRALL defeated Escondido Little League with a score of 7-6. Next, DRALL matched up with Huntington Valley, winning in three innings (18-3) with a walkoff grand-slam from Aiden W., and inspiring pitching from Will N. who struck out five batters in three innings. DRALL faced the host team, Eastvale next, winning 1-0 in extra innings. Taking on Glendora next, where the winner would have a bid to the championship game, DRALL fell 2-5, sending them to the loser’s bracket for the first time.

DRALL faced Sweetwater in the win-or-go-home game. Jayden B. led the way with four RBIs on two home runs, and Julian K.’s impressive five innings on the mound lifted the team to a 4-3 win, and sent DRALL to the two-game championship finale.

Keeping the momentum going, DRALL was due to face Glendora for a second time. Going into the top of the 6th inning, DRALL was down 1-3, when Davis A. led off the top of the 6th for DRALL with a single to center, kicking off a massive five-score rally, including a two RBI single from Elliot R. to lift DRALL 5-3. Glendora scored one run in the bottom of the 6th, but was held off by Mason K. as he struck out three batters in the final two innings. DRALL’s 6-4 win would send the two teams to the “if-necessary” game the next day.

DRALL came into the championship game on August 1 with the momentum of their win, but having to play four days in a row proved a challenge and they eventually fell to Glendora 2-10, ending DRALL’s road to Williamsport.

DRALL sends a big thank you to the All-Stars coaches for their leadership and support of the team: Manager Chris Walter and Assistant Coaches David Kenny, Joe Chargin and Jason Rodriquez. Next up for DRALL is “Fall Ball” beginning the first week of October (signups will be coming soon). For more information, please check out DRALL.org.

Thank you to all DRALL supporters, fans and sponsors for making this possible for our players!