Bears win Sonoma Little League championship

Fourth title in nine years for Bears|

The Bears beat the Tigers 6-1 on Sunday to win the Sonoma Little League City Championship.

The victory capped a 22-3 season and was their 11th consecutive win. The team was led by pitcher Luke Giusto who struck out 11 Tigers. Andrew Bonfigli had two hits on the day, and speedy leadoff hitter Ben Sebastiani had a single and scored a run. Their playoff run was ignited by the red-hot Will Borden who had two homers and 10 RBI in four playoff games and Connor Cheeseman who hit .667 in four playoff games.

“We’re a tough team to beat when you have Will and Connor doing what they’re doing at the plate” said Manager Donny Sebastiani. The Tigers (21-6) came up just short, had hits from All Stars Max Harrison, Norman Shinn, and Hudson Giaritta.

San Francisco Giants fans, take heart… the Bears last three championships came in the same even years as the Giants’. Maybe 2018 will be a historic season all around the Bay Area.

Also of note was Coach Johnny Armitage’s Falcons’ seventh and final run through Little League. After having his 24-0 perfect season dashed last year by the Angels, he came from seventh place all the way to the semifinal game, beating the second-place Tigers and third-place Blue Jays along the way.

Both the Bears and the Tigers will move on to the single-elimination District 53 Tournament of Champions on Sunday, June 17. The Bears host the Cordelia Tri Valley Rockies at home at Hughes Field at 1 p.m. The Tigers open at Fairfield Atlantic Little League at the same time.

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