PHOTOS: Placentia finishes perfect run with victory over Irvine in Pony regional final

Placentia Pony all-stars celebrate after winning the regional tournament title. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt and Adam Kunin, OC Sports Zone).

Throughout the Pony Bronco 11-and-under regional tournament, Placentia’s Navy team has dominated its competition, earning three straight victories by eight or more runs this past weekend. 

On Monday evening, Placentia put the finishing touches on its pristine run with another resounding victory in the regional championship defeating Irvine 8-3 at Harvard Park.

The win not only awards Placentia a regional title but also grants it a bye throughout the upcoming super regional tournament, advancing the squad to the following week’s zone tournament. Placentia head coach Andrew Barnes acknowledges that avoiding having to play in the super regional provides his team with a significant advantage going forward. 

“It’s huge for us,” Barnes said. “Super regions is a gauntlet … So being able to bypass that tournament and go straight to zones is huge in our conquest to try to get to the World Series.”

On the other hand, Irvine will move on to play in the super regional tournament, which starts on July 10. It hopes to be one of the two squads that will advance out of the 16-team pool to play in the Zone tournament. 

Irvine, which lost its first game of the tournament, endured an extensive slate of contests to reach the regional championship, needing two wins to take the crown. Ultimately, it played seven games across the four days of tournament play, which, while grueling, gave the team valuable experience going forward. 

Most notably, the weekend tested the squad’s depth, as multiple players were required to step up into important roles. 

“I definitely think having all these games gives a lot of different guys opportunities and some chances that they might not have in the regular season, and I think it’s going to help us get better as a team. Having those guys in those big moments,” Coach Jeff Kaplan of Irvine said. 

Yet, on Monday night, Placentia showcased its own impressive depth throughout its lineup, powering past Irvine with a consistent offensive attack. 

It scored in each of the first four innings and exploded for a three-run frame in the top of the fourth to build a comfortable 6-2 lead. With dynamic hitters scattered throughout the lineup, Placentia places constant pressure on opposing defenses. 

“I think the best part about our team is we’re not top-heavy,” Barnes said. “We can hit the ball from the top to the bottom of the lineup.”

Catcher Josh Hamilton led the way at the plate for Placentia, logging three RBI and a pair of extra-base hits, including a two-run home run over the left field fence in the top of the sixth. 

Additionally, Mason Baker came through for his squad in crucial moments, adding two RBI in a 3 for 4 night at the dish. 

Meanwhile, Placentia received a stellar start from pitcher Madden Weeda, who, after giving up two runs in the first inning, held Irvine to just one run the rest of the night. His complete game effort proved to be crucial in securing the championship victory for Placentia. 

“I’m super proud of Madden,” Barnes said. “He’s been that guy who’s our closer, and he can show up in big games on big days. He’s strong mentally and came out there with some adversity and was able to really turn the page.”

Irvine’s offense struggled to figure out Weeda, only managing to tally six hits. Three of the hits came off the bat of second baseman Mason Dong, who finished 3 for 4 in the box with three singles. 

Zeke Rodriguez, Tanner Li and Nolan Sarmiento had the RBI for Irvine.

With the victory, Placentia now enters a long layoff period before its next game in the Zone tournament. However, Barnes reiterated that he will keep his team ready to play over the next few weeks. 

“We’ll probably practice on Wednesday because we might as well get out there and you don’t want to lose it,” Barnes said. 

It’s fitting for the group who’s played more than 50 games as a team to continue to spend time together amid an extensive stretch without a game. 

“We spend a lot of time together,” Barnes said. “We end every game with family because we try to stay a close-knit group … It’s nice when you can come together as a group and as a family and really push through the highs and lows of the game.”

The tournament was sponsored by Irvine Pony Baseball.