After strong finish at super regional, Olive 12-and-under Pony squad begins zone tourney

Olive Orange 12-and-under all-stars and coaches after qualifying for the zone tournament. (Photo courtesy Olive Orange Pony).

Olive Orange’s 12-and-under Pony Bronco all-stars, after a strong finish in the super regionals last weekend in Corona, open the West Zone finals Thursday evening against Loomis, Calif. at the Morrison Sports Park in Moreno Valley.

Olive’s first game will be on the blue field at 5 p.m.

The tournament, featuring eight teams, runs through Sunday. The winner moves on to the Pony International World Series beginning Friday, Aug. 1, in Loredo, Tex.

Olive earned a trip to the zone finals with an 8-7 victory over Torrance on Monday. After losing to Placentia 3-2 on Sunday, Olive won its final three games, including a 19-7 victory over Ramona in the first game Monday.

Against Torrance in the second game Monday, Victor Ayala had six RBI, a double and two singles and Ethan de la Palma had four hits and scored three runs. Jake Schierberi had a double and single and Caleb Heim and Spencer Butz had clutch pinch-hit singles.

Austen Shandra pitched for Olive, allowing four runs and striking out two in 3 1/3 innings.

“The game vs. Torrance was an epic battle,” said Olive Manager Shea Shandra. “Each team fought hard as this was a ticket to the zone tournament, with the top eight 12-and-under teams in the entire West Coast, including Alaska and Hawaii and the other team would be finished with all-stars season.

“The heart and fight of Olive Hurricanes was palpable. These young men really wanted to win. I’m so proud of every player’s contribution but mostly of the heart and and hustle and never quit mentality.”

Olive then secured the No. 2 Southern California seeding with an 18-7 victory over North City in the final game of the double elimination tournament Tuesday.

de la Palma pitched for Olive and allowed five earned runs while striking out three. Ayala had a triple, double and two singles, Alexander Velasco had a triple, three singles and four RBI, Helm, Enrique Triana and Schierberi all had doubles and Austen Shandra had two stolen bases.

“The highlight of this game was Ethan de la Palma’s pitching and the complete offensive assault,” said the manager. “Ethan kept us in the game the entire time and had the other team guessing at the plate. Our team offense was led by Alexander Velasco and Victor Ayala with four hits each and each with a triple.”

Shea Shandra said he was proud of what his team has accomplished.

“This team making it to zone is something special,” he said. “It is the second time in a row for this team and a major accomplishment. This is the tournament proceeding the Pony World Series. We are excited to compete against the best of the west, the top eight teams in the West Coast.”

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