Placentia Punishers advance to championship game of Bronco zone tourney

Placentia Punishers 12-and-under Bronco all-stars advanced to the championship game of the zone tournament Sunday with a 10-0 victory over the 65’s 12-and-under Saturday in Moreno Valley.

Placentia, coached by Brandon Smith, will face Tecolote of San Diego Sunday at 2 p.m. The winner moves on to the Bronco World Series in Loredo, Texas.

Cole Grothues pitched a shutout for Placentia, allowing three hits and striking out four.

The Punishers, who had 11 hits, broke the five-inning game open with five runs in the fourth inning.

Grady Klovstad was 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI, Andrew Churney was 2 for 3 with an RBI, Tyler Fritz was 1 for 3 with two runs scored, Jayden Stilabower was 1 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored, Caden Smith was 1 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored, Grothues was 1 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored, Tristan Gerken was 1 for 2 with an RBI, Jacob Wang was 1 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored and Ben Hansen was 1 for 2 with a run scored to lead Placentia.

Both the San Diego team and Placentia come into Sunday’s championship contest with undefeated records.