Behind consistent pitching and solid defense, the East County Stompers scrapped their way to the District 4 Minor League Championship game.

After starting the season slow, the Stompers won 11 of their last 13 games. In their final seven games, they pounded out 112 runs. The Stompers beat TNT to win the East County Little League Title.

In the first round of the District 4 Championships, the Stompers took down the Antioch Bandits 12-6. Jordan Sweeney went 3 for 3, including two doubles and a single. Virginia Davis, Cecily Murphy, Jaysa Palomo, Kaila Sanchez and Savanna Shirk all collected one hit apiece. Winning pitcher Shirk worked three innings and struck out two. Sweeney closed the game, striking out seven batters in the final three frames.

In the semifinal game, the Stompers defeated the Pittsburg Bandits 13-2. Behind the stellar play of catcher Palomo, Peyton Hendricks at first base, Danea Lideros at second, shortstop Lauren Bonnici, and Sweeney at third, the Stompers kept the Bandits off the bases most of the game. Shirk picked up another win, striking out four in three innings.

In the championship game, Pinole’s dominant pitching kept the Stompers from reaching the bases for most of the game. Final score: Pinole 14, Stompers 5. As half of the Stompers’ roster comprised 8-years-olds, they fought tough against a much bigger team.

The Stomper players were Lauren Bonnici, Kelcie Douglas, Peyton Hendricks, Jaysa Palomo, Jordan Sweeney, Virginia Davis, Danae Lideros, Kathryn Lucido, Cecily Murphy, Kaila Sanchez, Aaliyah Casborn and Savanna Shirk. The Stompers were managed by Jeff Hendricks and coached by Dave Sweeney and Joe Dominguez.