Goleta Valley South erupted for 10 runs in the first inning and routed Santa Paula 16-5 to stay in contention in the District 63 Junior Division Little League All-Star Tournament on Friday.
With the five-inning mercy-rule win, Goleta Valley has a chance to advance out of pool play in its final game on Saturday.
Santa Paula scored two runs in the first inning and had a chance to put up more, but Goleta Valley pitcher Tony Garcia induced a double play to get out of trouble. Eli Roberts, Michael Boelter and Pierce O’Donnell turned the game-changing double play.
Goleta Valley’s offense responded with a vengeance, battering Santa Paula with 10 runs. David McCarthy started the explosion with a single followed by three walks and a double by Roberts, a single by Harry Parker and another double by Garcia.
The first three batters, McCarthy, Crowley and Parker, scored two times each in the inning.
Goleta Valley batters were patient as they drew nine walks in the game.
Hits by Michael Boelter, Anthony Sanchez, O’Donnell and Garcia scored six more runs.
Garcia pitched five innings when the game was ended on the mercy rule.
