Mike Sciacca
The Laguna Beach Little League Majors Division All-Star team begins
its quest for the league's first-ever District 55 title when it takes on
Viejo Saturday in the opening round of the Little League All-Star
Tournament of Champions.
Laguna Beach and Viejo will meet in game No. 4 of the double
elimination tournament at 1 p.m. at Hicks Canyon Park in Irvine.
Northwood Little League is this year's host for the Majors All-Star
tournament.
"We certainly have our work cut out for us, as Viejo traditionally has
an outstanding All-Star team," said Laguna Beach coach Cary Hyden.
A victory Saturday will put Laguna Beach into winner's bracket play on
Monday, July 1, at 7:45 p.m., against Rancho Santa Margarita, which
received a first round bye.
A loss Saturday would send Laguna Beach into a "second chance" bracket
game Wednesday, July 3, at 5 p.m.
The leagues of District 55 cover the southern section of Orange
County. The leagues under the district's umbrella include: Laguna Beach,
Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel,
Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Saddleback, San Clemente, San Juan
Capistrano, South Irvine, South Mission Viejo, Northwood, Tijeras Creek,
North Mission Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo, Rancho Niguel, Trabuco Creek
and Trabuco Canyon.
In addition to Rancho Santa Margarita, North Mission Viejo, Lake
Forest and Newport Beach each received first round byes.
All four of those leagues will play their first round games on Monday.
The championship series is scheduled for July 16-18.
Laguna Beach's Majors Division All-Star team is comprised of Dalton
Sype, Austin Hyden, Kevin Buck, Nick Witte, Christian Bosworth, Caine
Fair, Gabe Stansbury, Keegan Valaika, Charles Moothart, Joe Meehan,
Michael Tachovsky, Will Burk and Dillon Pierece.
Saturday's Games
9 a.m. -- Rancho Niguel vs. Newport Beach
10 a.m. -- Tijeras vs. South Irvine
Noon -- Laguna Hills vs. Rancho Mission Viejo
1 p.m. -- Viejo vs. Laguna Beach
3 p.m. -- Aliso Viejo vs. Saddleback
4 p.m. -- South Mission Viejo vs. Laguna Niguel
6 p.m. -- San Juan Capistrano vs. Trabuco Canyon
7 p.m. -- San Clemente vs. Trabuco Canyon
