Little League: Petaluma National 10U rallies for wild walk-off win

10U

Petaluma National has had a flare for the dramatic this postseason and they added another chapter to their exciting run Tuesday night in the Section 1 tournament.

Trailing 14-11 after an error-plagued first five-and-a-half innings, PNLL scored four runs - all with two outs - in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat previously undefeated Twin Cities and force a winner-take-all game for the Section 1 title Wednesday. Of their last five wins, four have come in walk-off fashion.

Ben Reidy delivered the game-winning hit, a two-run double facing an 0-2 count that scored Owen Roemer and Matthew Mason. Roemer had an RBI single to start off the rally before Mason followed with an RBI single of his own.

Reidy finished the game 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs and Mason had three hits with an RBI. Other offensive standouts were Nicholas Gillis (2-for-3, double, three RBIs), Lucas Porter (2-for-3, double, two RBIs) and Brendan Albright (2-for-3, RBI).

Mason also pitched the final three innings to earn the win on the mound.

Wednesday’s winner-take-all game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Petaluma American.

Juniors

Petaluma Valley suffered its first loss of the postseason Tuesday, falling 4-1 to Pacifica in the semifinals of the state tournament in Rocklin. PVLL will now head to the loser’s bracket, but a win in the next round Thursday would send them into the championship game Friday.

Colt Cilia drove in their lone run in the first inning, Callaway Haluska had two hits with a run scored and Brandon Lozinto-Wyatt struck out nine with two runs allowed in five innings in defeat.

PVLL will face either Los Gatos or College Glen in their next game Thursday.

11U

Petaluma National fought hard but saw its postseason run come to a close Tuesday night in a 3-1 loss to Lafayette in the Section 1 championship game.

PNLL had beaten Lafayette 3-0 on Friday before suffering a 2-1 loss to Lafayette on Monday to force Tuesday’s winner-take-all game.

In the deciding third meeting, the game was tied 1-1 through three innings before Lafayette took the lead scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth. PNLL got the game-tying run on base in the bottom of the sixth, but a double play and a strikeout ended the rally. Two pitchers for Lafayette combined to allow just three hits all game.

Ari Jacquez led PNLL offensively with an RBI double and pitched 3⅔ strong innings on the mound.

Y ou can reach Staff Writer Gus Morris at 707-304-9372 or gus.morris@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @JustGusPD.