Placentia Bronco all-stars capture super regional championship and head to zone

Placentia’s 12-and-under all-stars after winning the super regional title. (Photo courtesy Placentia Pony Baseball).

Placentia Bronco’s 12-and-under all-stars finished an undefeated run at the super regionals in Jurupa Valley defeating Tecolote Red of San Diego 4-2 Tuesday night.

Placentia won its first three games before wrapping up the crown Tuesday.

The all-stars, coached by Brandon Smith, move on to the zone championships beginning Thursday in Moreno Valley. Placentia will open against Orem, Utah at 7:30 p.m. The tournament goes through Sunday with the championship game at 2 p.m.

“Dean Clewett threw his best innings of the year against one of the toughest teams in Southern California,” Smith said. “He commanded the strike zone and had them off balance all game. Ben Hansen and Caden Smith came in and closed the game in the same fashion, hitting spots and throwing strikes.”

Placentia also got solid offensive contributions.

“Cole Grothues’ sacrifice fly got us on the board in the sixth for the first run and Tristan Gerken put down a perfect squeeze bunt that kept the rally going,” Smith said. “The energy in the dugout was great all game.”

Tyler Fritz, Caden Smith, Hansen and Jayden Stilabower scored the runs for Placentia, which was the second seed from the Irvine regional. Gerken also had three stolen bases.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com