Robinwood continues to roll in Little League All-Star play

In postseason All-Star play, there has been no stopping the Robinwood express.

Tuesday in south Mission Viejo, the Robinwood 9/10 team put the exclamation point on an overpowering run through its most recent journey by winning the Little League Section 10 All-Star Tournament. Robinwood accomplished the feat by crushing Aliso Niguel (District 55), 12-2, at Youth Athletic Park.

By winning Section 10, Robinwood advances to its next destination, the 9/10 Baseball Sub-Division III South tournament in Riverside. Robinwood will take on the Section 8 winner, Deer Canyon, at 8 p.m. Saturday at Shamel Park.

"These kids are phenomenal," Robinwood Manager Spike Sojka said after Tuesday's title-clinching victory. "I've been coaching in Robinwood Little League for 14 years and I've never seen this much talent on one team. It's a crazy feeling coaching these kids. They're all great ballplayers."

Robinwood started slowly Tuesday but once it got going, there was no stopping the locals. Offensively, Rocco Peppi went three for four with three runs batted in, all coming on a three-run home run that helped turn the game. Both Andrew Sojka and Evan Manzo went two for four with a double, two RBIs and scored twice.

Robinwood broke away from a 1-1 tie by staging a two-out, five-run rally in the third inning. Peppi's two-run homer and a two-run double off the fence in center field by Jake Vogel highlighted the rally.

The defense also was on top of its game. Andrew Baldwin, Sojka and Vogel shared the mound. Baldwin started, Sojka allowed one run in four innings, and Vogel closed. The trio was backed by key plays, including a line-drive double play by Ryan Gregory at third base, a double-play by Manzo and a diving catch in left field by Brayden Gratzer.

"The kids played flawless baseball in the championship game, making tough plays look routine while not committing an error," Robinwood coach Geoff Kendle said.

In three Section 10 games, each a double-digit victory, Robinwood outscored its opponents, 37-3. In seven All-Star tournament games, Robinwood has outscored the opposition, 74-6.

The Robinwood 9/10 All-Stars are: Andrew Baldwin, Bradley Coots, Ezekiel Franco, Scott Fujita, Brayden Gratzer, Ryan Gregory, Christian Hill, Caden Kendle, Evan Manzo, Rocco Peppi, Andrew Sojka, Shane Stafford, Jacob Vogel. Manger: Spike Sojka. Coaches: Geoff Kendle, Steve Stafford.

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Major Division All-Stars