ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - After a week of pool play between the 10 teams that qualified to play in the Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament, four teams made it to the single elimination bracket: both Hawaii teams, one Northern California team (Elk Grove) and one Arizona team.

And the two teams that made the championship game were Elk Grove and one of the teams from Hawaii (‘AIEA), who played on Saturday July 18 at 11:30 a.m. 

Once the game started, Elk Grove was able to take control early, taking an early 3-0 lead after just the first inning. The players took the initiative to play small ball from the beginning of the game and it worked out. 

They were able to carry momentum into the second inning, where yet again they allowed zero runs of defense while scoring another three of their own. They then extended their lead to 6-0 after just two innings being played. However, in the third inning, ‘AIEA looked to switch the momentum to try and cut the lead. And they did, scoring two runs early in the inning and making it start to look like a long inning. 

But Elk Grove was able to step up big on defense. The team made plays in the field to prevent any further damage, forcing ‘AIEA to leave runners on base and in scoring position. Elk Grove also answered with one run of its own, making the score 7-2. 

In the third inning, it started to look like it could become a close game, but both teams’ pitching and defense were able to lock in and step up, preventing either team from adding to their run total. 

The final innings were filled with defense, which ended the game with a final score of 7-2, with Elk Grove coming out on top and finishing with a perfect record of 6-0 on the week. Plus, being named the 2026 Pacific Southwest Regional Champions. 

But more importantly, qualifying for the 10U Cal Ripken Little League World Series! 

They travel all the way to Stafford, Virginia, to compete in that tournament Aug. 6-15. 

The Elk Grove team is able to play at the highest level of competition for youth baseball at the highest stage. 

Although there was only one team that could qualify, every team represented its region well over the week playing some great baseball, and hoping to take something positive away from the tournament.