Congrats Alpine; Go, Solana Beach!

What a run by the Alpine American Little League All-Stars!

This was the best team in Alpine American history, winning both District and Sectional championships.

Only a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Solana Beach in eight innings Monday night will keep Alpine from making a possible run at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

But what a year to remember!

This team had heart, and it tore the hearts of everyone in attendance from Alpine at Chollas Lake Little League when the team was eliminated.

Even then, Alpine showed its fighting spirit by coming back from a 1-0 deficit with two runs in the top of the sixth.

Congratulations go out to all team members ... and to announcers Marc Bailey and Chuck Taylor of Lite 107.9 FM in Alpine for keeping the community informed of the happenings with this magnificent team.

On a night when the Padres’ bullpen blew a three-run lead in the eighth inning (again), Solana Beach’s bullpen held tough in extra innings to secure the victory.

Best of luck to Solana Beach from here on out as San Diego County’s representative. All the folks in Alpine hope to see the classy team from Solana Beach in the Little League World Series one month from now!

(Photo courtesy of The Alpine Sun)

Alpine Little League stars shine brightly

Take a trip east to the San Diego County village town of Alpine sometime and check out the sky at night.

There are stars by the hundreds to be counted … which is more than you can say about city life in San Diego.

Speaking of stars shining brightly in Alpine, have you heard about the Alpine American Little League All Stars?

This amazing team has won its District and Sectional championships as it awaits a first-round game against Tijeras Creek at noon Saturday at Chollas Lake Little League in the Southern California – South Sub-Divisional.

Tijeras Creek, out of Rancho Santa Margarita, can pound the ball. In its last four games the team has scored 14, 10, 15 and 16 runs.

This came after a 4-1 loss to Long Beach in the Sectional opener, and this is where Sam Pounds comes in for Alpine American.

In his previous game, he pitched a no-hitter in the Sectional finals as Alpine American beat South Bay, 12-0.

Ryan Tanksley sparks Alpine American from his leadoff position in the batting order. The team also has the son of a celebrity in Andrew Grant; whose father, Mark, is a baseball color analyst for Channel 4 San Diego and a former major league pitcher.

No matter what happens from here on out, the back country town of Alpine has plenty to be proud of in its Little League All Stars.