The improbable postseason run of the Santa Cruz Little League 8-10-year-old All-Stars came to an end Wednesday night with a 9-3 loss to Goodyear at Stone Complex in Sierra Vista.
Santa Cruz won 7 of 10 games over the past three weeks, claiming the District 8 championship and finishing among the final eight teams in Arizona. Along the way they defeated teams from Willcox, Sierra Vista, Benson, Douglas, Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Santa Cruz played the entire postseason with the minimum of nine players: four 10-year-olds, four 9-year-olds and one 8-year-old.
“We set out a goal to win one game (in the district tournament),” said Aaron Thomas, assistant coach and league president. “The boys got some confidence, and they just got better and better every game. They played with a lot of heart.”
The nine players on the team are Brantley Orona, Jax Raley, Chato Padilla, Owen Thomas, Hatley Mathews, Ty Peterson, Atlas Bohm, Jhett Hubbell and Hayes Thomas. Evan Raley is the head coach, assisted by Aaron Thomas and Ricardo Padilla.
The league posted the following message on its Facebook page following Wednesday’s loss: “We are so proud of how they played, but even more proud of who they are becoming – tough, respectful, humble young men who lead with heart.”
District 8, which encompasses Santa Cruz and Cochise County, also paid tribute to the team on its Facebook page: “Can we give a shout out to the Santa Cruz Little League team as they exit the tournament with a 2-2 record? This was the first time in their league’s history to have a team make it to a State Tournament. They might be one of the littlest of the Leagues in District 8, but they have huge hearts, exemplifying all that we try to impart to the players in our District: Character, Courage, and Loyalty. Well done team.”