Pac West conducted its Junior Little League baseball tournament championship at its field complex in SeaTac with the Angels completing an unbeaten run through the tournament by defeating the Pirates 7-2 on Thursday, June 6. The Pirates defeated the Athletics 1-0 to gain the championship's final round with its one loss earlier in the tourney.

Following two complete scoreless innings, the flying Angels winged into the lead in the top of the third inning. Andrew Gilpatrick led off by flipping a pop fly double just over the right side of the infield before advancing to third base on a wild pitch. On a 3-and-2 count, Alex Ponce finally got ball four to reach first base and soon moved up to second base unchallenged during the next batter's plate appearance. A fly ball out failed to advance the runners, but Chris Coyle drew a walk to load the bases for Jake Whitman's run-scoring sacrifice fly to center field.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Angels struck again. Benji Box singled to left field and continued on to second when the base hit was not fielded immediately. An infield ground out sent Box to third base from where he scored on Zach Oldfather's base hit. Gilpatrick then returned to the plate and doubled home a run.

Although Angel left handed starting pitcher Jacob Bleitz controlled the action for the better part of three innings, a possible game changing momentum shift possibility made its appearance in the bottom of the fourth inning inning with the Angels holding a 3-0 lead.

With one out, Ryan Moormeier singled. Travis Boyd was then hit by a pitch to place one runner in scoring position. Matt Tourangeau hit a pitch right on the nose, but it was snared by third baseman Chris Coyle who looked at the runner trying to advance to third and pegged the ball to second baseman Benji Box who stepped on second base to end the threat on an inning ending double play.

"It was a hard hit ball and I instinctively saw the runner and threw to second base," Coyle said.

Instead of closing the gap or possibly taking the lead via a big inning, the Pirates still trailed 3-0 and would soon pay penance for not scoring.

In the top of the fourth, the Pac West Angels proceeded to pad their advantage. Jake Whitman drew a one-out walk before moving up one base on a wild pitch. Gio Leyuia walked. An infield ground out sent each runner ahead for one base, making it easier for both to reach home on a two-base throwing error. Oldfather's ensuing walk and another throwing error, set up up VJ Malo to drive home the third run of the Angel at bat with a double and a 6-0 control.

It was Leyuia who knocked home the final Angel run on a sixth inning double.

Moormeier countered for the Pirates with his sixth inning two-run double. Bleitz completed his mound stint after 99 pitches on a pop out before relief pitcher Alex Ponce ended the inning by inducing a strike out.

"I wasn't tired," he said. "With the lead, I just tried to get the ball over the center of the plate. I felt consistent the whole time and concentrated on throwing strikes.

The home team attempted to scuttle the Angel victory celebration in the seventh inning. The Pirates had runners on second and third with one out, but the Angels then completed a double play on a ground out to the shortstop who pegged to first base where the fielder threw home to the catcher for a tag out of the runner trying to score from third base.

"This was a really great game for us," said Angel manager Mitch Bleitz. "The Pirates beat us the last two games of the regular season. Our team really rose to the occasion in the tournament."

Angel players include Andrew Gilpatrick, Jacob Bleitz, Chris Coyle, Jake Whitman, Gio Leyuia, Benji Box, Zaach Oldfather, Craig Bailey, Kepel Allison and VJ Malo.

Assisting manager Bleitz are coaches Sam Whitman and Dave Coyle.