The Little League Territorial Championships took place Friday and Saturday at Rudy Krieger Ballpark on St. Croix. Players’ ages ranged from six to 12.
Little League Territorial Championship 6-8
Game 1
St. Thomas bested St. Croix 9-5 on Friday. In the opening game of the Little League Territorial Championships, hundreds of spectators came to the Rudy Krieger Ballpark in Sion Farm to cheer on the territory’s best young athletes.
STT jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Kalhen Abbott singled, scoring one run; Kelani Brown doubled, scoring two runs; an error scored one run; an error scored two runs; and Ja’den Hanley singled, scoring one run.
STT added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Kalhen grounded out, STX committed an error, Bryson Smith singled, and J’Len Smith tripled, each scoring one run.
Ja’den began the game for STT. They gave up zero hits and four runs over one inning, striking out three and walking six. Shawn Brodhurst started on the hill for STX. The starting pitcher gave up five hits and 11 runs (two earned) over one inning, striking out two and walking four. Jernee Farley pitched one inning of zero-run ball for STT in relief. They allowed zero hits, striking out two and walking two.
Daniel Perez Morla, Ja’den, Kelani, Kalhen, Bryson, and J’Len each collected one hit for STT. Kelani and Jayden Jean-Louis each drove in two runs for STT. Noah Daughtry led STT with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, amassing six walks for the game. STT didn’t commit a single error in the field. Jayden had the most chances in the field with seven.
Sai Jones, Noel Wynter III, Akim Luke, Karson Matthews, and Rohaan Lawrence each drove in one run for STX. STX had a strong eye at the plate, amassing 10 walks for the game. Rafael Nieves and Craig Velasquez Jr. led the team with two free passes each.
Game 2
St. Thomas scored 11 runs in the fourth inning, which helped them defeat STX 14-5 on Saturday. Aiden Jackson drew a walk, scoring one run; O’Mai Forde doubled, scoring three runs; Jayden Jean-Louis drew a walk, scoring one run; Ja’den Hanley drew a walk, scoring one run, Ray’Mai Chesterfield drew a walk, scoring one run, Noah Daughtry drew a walk, scoring one run, Daniel Perez Morla drew a walk, scoring one run, Bryson Smith drew a walk, scoring one run, and Kelani Brown drew a walk, scoring one run.
STT got on the board in the first inning after Kelani singled, scoring two runs.
STX captured the lead, 4-2, in the bottom of the first after Malik Ventura walked, Sai Jones walked, Craig Velasquez Jr. walked, and Karson Matthews walked, each scoring one run.
A fielder’s choice by Sai extended the STX lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the third inning.
Kelani earned the win for STT. They allowed zero hits and zero runs over one and one-third innings, striking out three and walking one. Rafael Nieves took the loss for STX. They went one-third of an inning, allowing seven runs on two hits, striking out none and walking five. Jah’nai Martin stepped on the mound first for STT. The starting pitcher gave up zero hits and four runs over one-third of an inning, striking out none and walking three. Sai stepped on the mound first for STX. They allowed three hits and three runs (two earned) over two innings, striking out three and walking two. Ray’Mai and Jernee Farley each appeared in relief for STT.
Daniel, Kelani, Bryson, Jah’Nai, and O’Mai each collected one hit for STT. Kelani and O’Mai each drove in three runs for STT. STT had patience at the plate, accumulating 17 walks for the game. Daniel, Ja’den, Ray’Mai, Aiden Jackson, Kelani, and J’Len Smith led the team with two walks each. STT was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Jayden made the most plays with seven.
Sai led STX with two runs batted in. Rafael went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead STX in hits. STX had a strong eye at the plate, piling up 10 walks for the game. Malik and Craig led the team with two free passes each. STX turned one triple-play in the game.
Little League Territorial Championship 9-10
Game 1
Bats were blistered as STT defeated STX 16-10 on Friday. STT 9-10 collected six hits, while STX had seven.
Grabriel Caraballo Santana had a strong eye at the plate in the win, as the infielder walked three times in four plate appearances.
STT jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after a passed ball scored one run; Jamari Hanley Jr. drew a walk, scoring one run; Shemar Thomas singled, scoring one run; an error scored two runs, and an error scored one run.
STT added one run in the second. Grabriel doubled, making the score 7-3.
STX tied the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a single by Kittim Davis, an error, and a single by Otoniel Pereria Jr.
STT flipped the game on its head in the top of the fourth, scoring eight runs on two hits to take a 15-7 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a triple by Jamori Blash Jr. after a 7-pitch at-bat that drove in three.
Jordan Prentice earned the win for STT. They gave up five hits and seven runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out five and walking three. Davian Perpie took the loss for STX. The starting pitcher went two innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on two hits, striking out five and walking eight. Daylan De La Cruz appeared in relief for STT.
Grabriel, Shemar, Daylan, Jamori, Daurlin Santana, and Emmanuel Matos each collected one hit for STT. STT had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating 21 walks for the game. Grabriel and Kash Beerbohm led the team with three bases on balls each.
Otoniel Pereira, STX’s number seven-hitter, led the team with two hits in three at-bats. Kittim and Otoniel each drove in two runs for STX. STX had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating six walks for the game. Leonidas Joseph and Patrick Gilbert led the team with two walks each. STX turned one double play in the game.
Game 2
St. Thomas sealed the win against St. Croix 9-10 13-11 in the second game on Saturday.
Sealing the win for STT was Albert-David Zorrilla Beltre with two hits, Jamori Blash Jr., Kanye Fleming, Grabriel Caraballo Santana, and Emmanuel Matos all contributing one hit each.
The winning pitcher for STT Grabriel Caraballo Santana and Jamori Blash Jr. with the save.
STX put up a fight with Kimani Davis, who contributed two hits. Jahkai Auguste, Kamir Young, Kittim Davis, Davian Perpie, and Patrick Gilbert all put up one hit each for STX. Kimani Davis was the losing pitcher for STX.
St. Thomas will be advancing to the annual Latin American Tournament in Puerto Rico, July 26-Aug. 4.
Little League Territorial Championship 11-12
Game 1
Omari Lang Jr. struck out 10 batters as the starting pitcher led STX past STT 6-5 on Friday. Omari gave up four hits and two runs over four and one-third innings while walking five.
STX built a 4-run lead in the third inning and then held off STT’s charge. STT closed the gap by scoring on a triple.
STT got on the board in the first inning after Shiloh Richards singled, scoring one run.
Malik Liburd walked, which helped STX tie the game at one in the bottom of the second.
STX jumped into the lead in the bottom of the third when Kirt Thomas drew a walk, scoring one run; Timothy Wesselhoft doubled, scoring two runs; and Zaire Paul drew a walk, scoring one run.
Kayden Archibald stepped on the bump first for STT. The starting pitcher allowed zero hits and two runs over two innings, striking out six and walking six. Zaire appeared in relief for STX.
Aiden Knight and Timothy each collected one hit for STX. Malik and Timothy each drove in one run for STX. STX had patience at the plate, collecting 12 walks for the game. Malik, Kirt, and Zaire led the team with two walks each.
C’Jyi Callwood led STT with two runs batted in. The leadoff hitter went 1-for-2 on the day. Shiloh went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead STT 11-12 in hits. K’my Hodge paced STT with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, piling up seven walks for the game.
Game 2
STT was victorious against STX 8-5 on Saturday.
STT was the first to get on the board in the first when one run scored on another play.
STX took the lead in the bottom of the second inning after Nathan Lynch singled and Jayden Sanes-Williams hit into a double play, each scoring one run.
STT made the score 5-2 in the top of the third after Shiloh Richards drew a walk, scoring one run, and Ari Frazer singled, scoring three runs.
K’my Hodge earned the win for STT. They surrendered one hit and three runs (two earned) over three innings, striking out three and walking four. Robert Burgos took the loss for STX. They went three and one-third innings, allowing three runs on five hits, striking out five, and walking one. Nathan began the game for STX. They allowed zero hits and five runs (three earned) over two and two-thirds innings, striking out four and walking eight. Alexus Gumbs, Tomas Alejandro IV, and C’Jyi Callwood each came on in relief for STT and shutdown STX.
Ari drove the middle of the lineup, leading STT with three runs batted in. They went 2-for-3 on the day. STT had a strong eye at the plate, piling up nine walks for the game. Kayden Archibald, Shiloh, and C’Jyi led the team with two bases on balls each. STT turned two double plays in the game.
Yaniel Omar Pereira, Zaire Skeet, and Nathan Lynch each collected one hit for STX. Robert Burgos and Nathan each drove in one run for STX. Kirt Thomas paced STX with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, piling up seven walks for the game.
Game 3
STX opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two ground outs. STX first got on the board when Omari Lang Jr. grounded out, scoring one run.
STT tied the game in the bottom of the second thanks to a ground out by K’my Hodge and a hit by a pitch.
STX took the lead in the top of the third. Kirt Thomas singled, scoring one run, to give STX the advantage, 3-2.
STT took the lead in the bottom of the third. Ari Frazer doubled, scoring two runs, to give STT the edge, 4-3.
Nathan Lynch tripled, which helped STX tie the game at four in the top of the fourth.
STT captured the lead, 6-4, in the bottom of the fourth after Joseph Cuevas singled and I’AM Williams singled, each scoring one run.
I’AM pitched four innings in relief for STT. They allowed three hits and one run while striking out seven and walking one. Tomas Alejandro IV led things off on the hill for STT. The starting pitcher allowed one hit and three runs (one earned) over two innings, striking out one and walking four. Zaire Paul started on the mound for STX. They surrendered two hits and two runs over one and one-third innings, striking out two and walking three.
STT accumulated 10 hits in the game. Ari drove the middle of the lineup, leading STT with two runs batted in. They went 2-for-3 on the day. Alexus Gumbs and Ari each collected two hits for STT. C’Jyi Callwood stole two bases.
Nathan, Kirt, Timothy W, and Aiden K each collected one hit for STX. Omari, Nathan, and Kirt each drove in one run for STX.
St. Thomas will move on to represent the Virgin Islands at the Caribbean Little League Tournament in Curacao, July 14-21.
The championship games were made possible by great sponsors such as Sports, Parks, and Recreation, Elroy Bates, Mumba Rivera, Pivot to Success, Inc., Bellows International, West Indies Corp., The Market, 107.9 FM Da Vybe, the Big Phat Morning Show 95.1 FM, Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and the 35th Legislature.
