The Victoria North East Senior League 16U All Stars baseball team is moving on to the next round of the playoffs. They defeated Seguin Little League 5-1 Saturday night in Seguin to capture the Section 4 championship.
Victoria advances to the Texas East State Tournament, set to begin at George Park in Richmond on Saturday, July 5. They will face Section 2 champion Channelview at 5 p.m., and the gameƵs opening ceremony will begin at 3. The tournament is in a double-elimination format.
Victoria posted its first three runs in the third inning. With two runners aboard and one out, Seguin mishandled an infield grounder, which allowed both Victoria runners to score. A Landon Gandy RBI single in the following at-bat gave Victoria its final run of the frame.
Seguin posted a run in the home half of the fifth to cut VictoriaƵs lead to 3-1. In the top of the seventh, Parker Baros reached base on a leadoff double. He later came around to score on a one-out RBI single by Jazzric Huff.
With Victoria leading 4-1, Huff scored from third on a two-out RBI single by Deacon Chase to push the lead four.
Derrick Gaona earned the pitching victory for Victoria. He lasted six innings, surrendered five hits and did not allow an earned run. Gaona struck out nine batters and did not issue a walk.
Victoria reliever Carson Bazan retired Seguin in order in the final inning and picked up a pair of strikeouts.
ƵThe team has played great in the first two tournaments. Each round gets more and more competitive. They are ready,Ƶ Victoria manager Art Alvarado said.