LITTLE LEAGUE: Vista National forces deciding game vs. RBV

By TOM SHANAHAN - For The North County Times | Wednesday, July 9, 2008 11:41 PM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- If you wonder where so many talented Little League World Series teams come from in North County, this is the place.

Vista's Stonebrooke Fields, site of the District 70 Tournament, featured three teams considered strong enough to win next week's section tournament, advance to San Bernardino and contend for spot in next month's World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

But first a team has to emerge from the District 70 double-elimination bracket, and it's going the distance.

Vista National forced a second game against Rancho Buena Vista by defeating previously unbeaten RBV 6-3 on Wednesday.

The teams will meet again Thursday at 6 p.m. at Stonebrooke for the title and a berth in the Section 6 Tournament that begins Saturday at the same site.

"We keep coming back," said Rick Woolsey, a Vista National assistant coach. "We're real proud of our kids for the way they played with focus."

Of the three leagues represented by all-star teams, Rancho Buena Vista sent a team to the 2005 World Series and Oceanside American sent one to the 2001 World Series. Both leagues had strong representatives this year, while facing a challenge from Vista National.

Vista National's win over RBV was its fourth straight victory in an elimination game after losing its opener to Oceanside American.

RBV later handed Oceanside National its first loss, and that led to Vista National getting another chance at Oceanside American. Vista National subsequently eliminated Oceanside American for the right to face RBV.

Vista National got the first of two straight wins it needs over RBV when pitcher Jake Brynie pitched 5 1/3 innings and helped his cause with a two-run double in the top of the third for a 5-0 lead.

RBV bounced back in the bottom of the third with three runs after Brynie had two outs. Seth Fisher's two-run homer was followed by a solo home run by Jacqueline Kane, RBV's cleanup hitter and the only girl in the tournament.

"I'm not surprised this tournament is going the distance," RBV manager Larry Solomon said. "These are very good teams. We were a little tight defensively tonight, which isn't normal for us."

Vista National added another run in the fourth when right-fielder Jon Cebreros singled to score Billy Roth, who reached first on an error.

Byrnie, a 5-foot-8 right-hander who struck out nine, shut out RBV in the fourth and fifth, stranding a runner both times. But after getting the first out in the sixth inning, he was forced to leave after reaching the Little League pitch-count rule at 85.

Cebreros came on to finish the game with two outs on a fly ball to right field and a line drive to first base.

Solomon said he'll send Kane to the mound for the final.

"We've got our ace going, and they've got a deep pitching staff," Solomon said. "That's what you want in a championship game."

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