The Goleta Valley South Little League 12U All-Stars kicked off the SoCal State Tournament with a 2-1 victory over Encino Little League on Saturday in Fountain Valley.
GVSLL will now take on Santa Monica on Sunday at 12 p.m. as it looks to inch closer to the Little League Regionals, which are broadcast on ESPN and are followed by the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Saturday’s matchup was a pitcher’s duel as the game was tied at 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning.
Joseph Demmin came through in the clutch for GVSLL, roping a single to drive in the go-ahead run to make it 2-1. Blake Bollman then shut down Encino in the bottom half to clinch the win.
Earlier in the game, Demmin had opened the scoring in the top of the first with another RBI single.
On the mound, Rio Lopes got the start for GVSLL and allowed one unearned run on three hits while striking out six in 2 ⅔ innings. Eli Swartz and Bollman turned in scoreless outings of relief.
Denim and James Short led the GVSLL offensive attack with a pair of hits apiece.
The 2025 GVSLL 12U All-Stars are Blake Bollman, Joseph Demmin, Robert Denny, Alex Glaeser, Aiden Herrera, Rio Lopes, Jackson Murdock, James Short, Eli Swartz, Walker Torres and Brennan Zant.
The team is managed by Brett Bollman, with assistant coaches Jesse Landeros, Ray Torres and Brian Zant.