Christian “Gunner” Martinez doubled in the tying run and Marcos Rios followed with a line drive to right field to score pinch-runner Gianni Burns for the game winner as the Goleta Valley South Little League 11-under All Stars defeated Dos Pueblos Little League 6-5 in the opening game of the District 63 Tournament at Saticoy Little League on Friday.
Martinez pitched a six-inning complete game for Goleta Valley South.
“This was a battle between two great teams,” said GVSLL coach Ed Martinez. “Gunner pitched a great game and our infield play was solid.”
Second baseman Miles Smith and first baseman Christopher Youngdahl played solid defensive games for GVSLL.
Goleta Valley South rallied from a 2-0 deficit and tied the score at 2-2 in the first inning. Reid Laguette-Skei had a RBI. The team scored two in the fourth before Dos Pueblos came back with three in the top of the sixth to take. 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Gavin Miller drew a walk and stole second. Martinez followed and hit a line drive deep into center field for a stand-up double and a RBI to tie the score. Burns was brought to pinch run for Martinez and Rios drove him home for the walk-off victory.
The win advances Goleta Valley South to a second-round game against host Saticoy Little League on Sunday at 10 a.m.
The Goleta Valley South 11U All-Star Team consists of Jacob Arias, Gianni Burns, Dashel Diraison, Julian Lorkavich, Reid Laguette-Skei, Christian “Gunner” Martinez, Gavin Miller, Oliver Mognis, Mitch Normal, Marco Rios, Miles Smith, Christopher Youngdahl. The team is managed by Ed Martinez, with Paul Burns and Victor Rios serving as assistant coaches.