McCormick Ranch LL Bulls (Majors “12u” All-Stars) Earn Spot in District 6 Championship Series
By winning their first three games of the AZ District 6 Little League “Majors” tournament (featuring kids ages 10-12 years old), the McCormick Ranch LL Bulls have already qualified for a spot in the upcoming championship series scheduled to begin on Monday. The Bulls finish up their pool play schedule with a 7:30pm game tonight at Scottsdale Ranch Park.
The championship series will be a best-of-three set of contests, played Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (if necessary). All games are scheduled at 7pm at Scottsdale Ranch Park.
6/21 - Three Pitchers Team Up as McCormick Ranch LL Bulls Majors 12'S Shuts Out Fountain Hills LL
In the first game of the Little League “Majors” District 6 tournament, featuring kids ages 10-12 years old, the McCormick Ranch LL Bulls defeated Fountain Hills 10-0 on Monday. MRLL got things moving in the first inning, when Anthony Gilligan grounded out, pushing across Jax Breslo for the first run of the game.
The Bulls kept up the steady offensive attack throughout the evening, scoring in each inning of the game until they finished their barrage with a four-run outburst in the sixth inning. Three pitchers combined to throw a shutout for MRLL.
Gilligan was credited with the victory as the righthander surrendered zero runs on zero hits over two innings, striking out five. Liam McCusker and Jack Milner entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. McCusker struck out seven batters in his three innings, while Milner struck out one in the 6th. Amazingly, the Bulls pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts while allowing only three bases on balls.
Anton Cuevas went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead MRLL hitters, while Breslo, Cash Kelly, Connor Huseth, Nash Cotton, Alex Bowen and Milner all collected hits.
6/24 – MRLL Pitchers Throw a One-Hit Shut Out of Mountain View LL
McCormick Ranch LL defeated Mountain View 6-0 on Thursday as two pitchers combined to throw a one-hit shutout. Jack Milner started the game for the Bulls and allowed just one hit and zero runs over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one. Anthony Gilligan came on in relief to earn the win for MRLL, allowing zero hits and zero runs over four and a third innings, while striking out eight.
The pair were backed by stellar defense, as the Bulls did not commit a single error in the contest. Cruz Colby highlighted the defense by catching a would-be base stealer in the last inning.
Gilligan once again had the first RBI of the day, singling in Cash Kelly in the bottom of the third. Anton Cuevas later scored on a passed ball after having singled earlier in the frame. The Bulls secured the victory thanks to four runs in the fifth inning. MRLL’s offense was led by Gilligan, Milner, Connor Huseth, and Andrew Nishida-Grimm, all knocking in runs in the inning. Cuevas and Gilligan each collected two hits to lead the Bulls who had eight total hits.
6/25 – MRLL Grabs Lead in Fourth Inning For 6-4 Victory Over Arcadia
McCormick Ranch LL snatched the lead late in the game in a 6-4 victory over Arcadia on Friday in a battle of unbeatens in the tournament. The game was tied at three with the Bulls Majors batting in the top of the fourth when Jax Breslo tripled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs. The hit highlighted a huge 5-run inning for MRLL and proved to be the deciding difference.
The Bulls jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, marking the first time the Arcadians had trailed all tournament. Arcadia quickly responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. But MRLL took the lead for good with five runs in the fourth inning.
In the critical fourth Cruz Colby singled on a 0-1 count, driving in Jack Milner. Heads up aggressive base running by Nash Cotton allowed him to score on an errant throw during the play as well. Breslo came through with his bases-clearing triple with two outs in the inning, allowing the Bulls to take the lead, 5-3. Breslo wasn’t done yet however, as he proceeded to score on a wild pitch giving the Bulls a three run cushion.
Connor Radomski was the winning pitcher for MRLL after coming on in relief of starting pitcher Colby. Radomski lasted two and two-thirds innings, allowing two hits and zero runs while striking out one. Andrew Nishida-Grimm threw two and two-thirds innings in relief out of the bullpen to earn the save.
The Bulls were the better defensive team on the night. Alex Bowen, Jax Breslo and Sam Cauley all made critical catches in the outfield, while Cruz Colby threw out another base stealer for the third game in a row. The Bulls had eight hits in the game. Breslo went 3-for-3 at the plate and Alex Bowen also collected multiple hits for MRLL.
And as Everett Parker told his dad, Bulls’ manager Jeff Parker, after the game, “We’re now assured of a spot in the championship no matter what the outcome of Saturday night’s game.”