CHULA VISTA -- The all-star team from the Chula Vista-based Park View Little League took its only lead with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning in a 7-4 victory over its counterpart from the Cactus Foothills South Little League Monday in the West Regional tournament.
The victory moves Park View two victories away from a berth in the Little League World Series. It will next play Thursday in the winner's bracket final, whose winner will advance to Saturday's championship game. That game's winner will qualify for the Little League World Series. Park View trailed 4-3 entering the bottom of the fifth of the scheduled six-inning game at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino. Ali Camarillo singled in Santiago Garcia, the special pinch runner Adam Amaro, with tying run. Anthony Soto, who singled, scored the go-ahead run on the play on an error.
Lucas Marrujo singled in Jonluke Hobdy, who singled, with an insurance run. Camarillo scored on the throw.
Cactus Foothills South, the Arizona state champion, put runners on first and second with two outs in the sixth, but Marrujo induced Jayden Bahoura to fly out to end the game.
Southern California champion Park View has won both of its games in the West Regional in its last at-bat. It scored 15 runs in the 10th inning in an 18-3 victory over the all-star team from the Vacaville Central Little League Sunday night.
Cactus Foothills South combined doubles by Luke Newman, Landry Harkless and JT Wheeling for two runs in the top of the third to take a 4-2 lead.
Park View cut the deficit to 4-3 in the bottom of the third. Adriel Colmenero reached first on an error with one out, moved to second on Daniel Leon's single, went to third on a passed ball and scored on an error.
Newman singled leading off the top of the first. Bahoura followed with a double, advancing Newman to third. Newman scored and Bahoura went to third on a passed ball. Bahoura scored on a wild pitch.
Park View tied the score in the bottom of the second. Hobdy, a special pinch runner for Leon, who singled, scored when Omar Cordero reached first on a fielder's choice. Camarillo singled in Soto, who singled, with the second run.
Hobdy, the second of three Park View pitchers, pitched two shutout innings for the victory, striking out two and allowing three hits. Marrujo pitched one inning for the save, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Leon, the Park View starter, allowed four runs, three earned, and five hits in three innings, struck out six and walked two.
Landen Argabright, the second of three Cactus Foothills South pitchers, was charged with the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, and five hits in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two.
Marrujo had three hits and Camarillo, Leon and Soto two each.
Park View is 16-2 in its four tournaments, winning nine consecutive games since losing its opener in the South Subregional July 23.
