The Goleta Valley South 12U Section 1 Champions include Manager Tim Vom Steeg, players Aiden Johnson, Buddy Melgoza, Henry Manfredonia, Jackson Haskell, Ian Oakley, Sam Russell, Jared Vom Steeg, Will Trautwein, Coach Bill Oakley, Nick Oakley, Connor Hess, Caden Vom Steeg and coach Todd Oakley.
For only the third time in history, a Goleta Valley South Little League 12-under All-Star team is Section 1 champion.
Buddy Melgoza scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as GVS defeated Orcutt, 5-4, in the championship game on Monday night. It was the team’s second walk-off victory in the tournament.
Orcutt jumped out to a 4-0 lead on a three-run homer in the second inning and a solo shot in the third. Jared Vom Steeg got GVS on the board with an RBI double, scoring Nick Oakley.
GVS tied the game with three runs in the fifth. Henry Manfredonia knocked in a run with a single to right before Melgoza laced an RBI triple and scored on a wild pitch.
Buddy Melgoza scores GVSLL’s game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
In the seventh, Melgoza led off with a walk, Connor Hess smashed a double, and Aiden Johnson walked to load the bases. Caden Vom Steeg hit a sharp grounder, and the throw home got away from the catcher, allowing Melgoza to score the winning run
GVS starter Ian Oakley pitched four solid innings, striking out six, including the last batter he faced. Hess and Will Trautwein were near perfect in relief, yielding no runs and striking out five in three innings.
The GVS 12U Stars join the league’s 10U and 11U teams in the sub-regionals.
