Placentia Punishers off to Bronco World Series in Texas after capturing zone championship

Placentia Punishers hold the zone championship banner Sunday. (Photo courtesy Placentia Pony).

Placentia Punishers Bronco 12-and-under all-stars exploded for six runs in the fourth inning and went on to defeat the Tecolote all-stars from San Diego 7-1 Sunday afternoon in the championship of the West Zone tournament in Moreno Valley.

Placentia, which went undefeated winning all four games, advances into the 2022 Bronco League World Series this weekend in Loredo, Texas. Placentia will face San Juan Texas Friday morning, July 29 in the opener.

In the fourth inning of Sunday’s game, Caden Smith, Cole Grothues, Ben Hansen and Jacob Wang all drove in runs. Smith had a brilliant pitching effort, going all seven innings, scattering eight hits and striking out four making his father, Coach Brandon Smith, proud.

Offensively, Grady Klovstad was 3 for 4 with a run scored, Churney had a hit and a run scored, Tyler Fritz was 1 for 3 with two runs scored, Caden Smith was 2 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI, Grothues was 1 for 2 with an RBI, Hansen was 1 for 2 with two RBI and Wang was 1 for 3 with an RBI to lead the Punishers 10-hit attack.

“We started our season in November with the goal of making it to Texas for the World Series,” said one of the team’s coaches Stephan Churney. “When you achieve a long term goal there are many feelings and emotions. We are proud of this team and are excited to watch them next week. We are thankful and blessed to be surrounded by friends, families, teammates and fans near and far who have followed and supported us through this journey. But we aren’t done. We have one more.”

Some Placentia players also shared their thoughts after the win.

“This is magical and we deserved it,” said Grady Klovstad.

“I had faith in our team that we could do it,” said Andrew Churney.

“I think we were the better team and we showed it in this game,” said Caden Smith.

It was the team’s second championship. Placentia also captured the super regional. The all-stars also did well at the regional in Irvine earning a No. 2 seed.