One day after falling in the first round of the Sub-Division 3 North Tournament by a 9-7 score, the Goleta Valley South Little League 12-year-old All-Stars found themselves on the right end of the same scoreline on Sunday, rallying for a win over Quartz Hill at Ladera Little League.
Goleta Valley South Little League opened California State Sub-Division Tournament play in dramatic fashion on Saturday evening, falling to District 30 champion Orange 9-7 despite having the winning run on the base when the final out was made.
Colter Nisbet went 4-for-4 in the loss for GVS, while Evan Kling connected for a two-run homer in the fourth inning, part of a four-run rally that got them back in a game that was 9-1 in Orange’s favor at one point.
Trey Tank added three hits and 3 runs driven in for GVS, which drops into loser’s bracket play today at 5 p.m. against Quartz Hill, held at Ladera Little League.
Kling started the game for GVS, but was chased in the first after four batters, giving up a two-run homer to Orange catcher A.J. Esperanza.
Orange added three more in the second and two in the third, and when they added two more in the fourth, they had an eight-run advantage.
GVS’s first run came when Tank scored from second on an infield throwing error in the second inning.
Its next big charge didn’t come until the fourth, when Isaac Oh scored on a fielder’s choice, and Kling followed three batters later with a two-run shot to center. Tank rounded out the rally with a double to score Nisbet.
Tank got things rolling again in the ninth with a two-run double to cut the gap to 9-7, and when Sam Drew singled and Derw Darke was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded. But the rally and the game came to an end there.
Back in action Sunday, Evan Kling had a massive afternoon, going 4-for-4 with two homers and three RBI, including a solo shot in the fifth that gave GVS its final margin of victory. He also scored three runs.
Kling and Colter Nisbet hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning; Jake Sofro, celebrating his thirteenth birthday, finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. Tank shook off a first inning hit-by-pitch to the face and pitched a strong three innings to pace GVSLL on the hill. Colter Nisbet entered the game with two outs in the fourth and promptly slammed the door on QHLL.
Goleta Valley South continues tournament play Monday (7/23) at 5 p.m. against Upland Foothill.
