Heartbreaking loss ends Ocean View’s run

A magical postseason run by the Ocean View Little League 9/10 All-Star team came to an end July 24 in San Diego.

Ocean View hadn’t lost a game in postseason play, having gone undefeated to win both the District 62 and Section 10 titles en route to earning an appearance at the Southern California South Sub-Divisional Tournament at Clairemont Hilltopers Little League.

The District 62 champs continued their hot streak at the start of the sub-divisional tournament, scoring big wins over Temecula Valley National of District 28 (14-1), Victorville Ribbons of District 49, (12-2) and Rancho San Diego of District 41 (4-1). Those wins moved Ocean View into the championship series against Rancho San Diego, which needed to beat Ocean View twice to win the tournament.

Rancho San Diego was able to hand Ocean View its first loss in All-Star play on July 23 when it scored a 6-4 victory. The pitching of Steven Gingery kept Ocean View in the game and Nick Pratto hit a solo home run.

That outcome set up a winner-takes-all game July 24, which Rancho San Diego won, 1-0, in seven innings.

“It was a heartbreaker,” Coach Sean Pouelsen said.

Logan Pouelsen had pitched an outstanding game for six innings but had to leave due to reaching his maximum allowed pitch count.

He exited having given up three hits without a run.

Rancho San Diego scored the winning run in the seventh to move on to play the North division winner in Moorpark on Saturday.

“Logan pitched a great game and our defense was solid throughout the whole game,” Sean Pouelsen said. “We just couldn’t push a run across to help him out. We had a couple chances but Rancho had a answer for every rally we tried to start. The Rancho pitcher was equally as good and earned the win and the chance to win the state title.”

“I’m very proud of our boys. They never gave up and they should be very proud of everything they accomplished in their All-Star run. Ocean View will be strong for years to come because of these boys and their families.”

The Ocean View 9-10 All-Star team is: Chad Minato, Hagen Danner, Logan Pouelsen, Steven Gingery, Nick Pratto, Hunter Simmons, Michael Green, Luke Williams, Brian Rousseau, Calvin Cruz, Michael Gates, Andres Galarza, Matthew Rolfes, Coach Sean Pouelsen and assistants Andy Williams and Bjorn Green.