Maidu scores 2 late runs to beat Roseville for crown

Things didn't come easy for Maidu in the Little League District 54 Major All-Star championship game the night of July 3 at Mann Park in Folsom. Facing a Roseville team they barely beat 3-2 in their first meeting June 25, Maidu fell behind 1-0 in the first inning and it took them until the fifth inning to get on the scoreboard, scoring two runs. That's the way the game ended, as Maidu earned a 2-1 victory to claim its third straight championship. "We didn't panic and did a good job of holding our composure, which is pretty rare for this age group," Maidu Manager Justin Bovolick said. "I've been coaching Little League for a decade or so and been coaching All-Stars for six or seven years and our maturity level for this age group is at another level." Maidu fell behind by a run in the first inning when Zach Skelton singled and moved to third on Brady Wilson's double. A sacrifice fly scored Skelton. That's the only run Maidu's Luke Wittig would allow, as he pitched a three-hitter and struck out seven. With just six outs to go, Maidu finally scored in the fifth inning. Knox Needles was hit by a pitch and Raymond Escobar followed with a single. Both advanced to second and third on an error by the left fielder. Preston Ortega then grounded out, which allowed Needles to score the tying run. With two outs, Escobar raced home on a passed ball to give Maidu a 2-1 lead. It was a tough loss for Brady Wilson, who pitched a great game for Roseville allowing only four hits and walking none, while striking out eight. "We scored the go-ahead run in both games against them on passed balls," Bovolick said. "That kind of speaks to having to grind it out against a good team. You've got to force the issue and take calculated chances and we got lucky both times. Brady Wilson is a good pitcher." Maidu begins play in the Section 4 Tournament in West Sacramento against Fair Oaks/Orangevale at 5:45 p.m. Friday.