Mill Valley League League Minors All-Star Team Wins Sectional Championship

Despite the Mill Valley Little League's excellent track record in regional tournament play in recent years, its 10-year-old all-star team made history Wednesday, defeating Petaluma Valley 9-1 in Alameda and winning the Little League California Section 1 minors division championship – making them the first Mill Valley minors division squad to do so. 

"They are indeed making history," Manager Doug Canepa said.

The team is now off to the divisional tournament in San Jose, which is the end of the line for this age group. One of the seven teams heading to the tourney, which begins Saturday at 10 a.m. in San Jose, will win the Northern California title.  

Leading the way in the win over Petaluma Valley were pitchers, Van Larson, Jake Buxton, and Harry Mauterer, who collectively threw a gem, Canepa said.  

Casey Walls made two incredible leaps from his second base position to snare line drives and kill rallies, while Larson turned in a web gem-worthy barehanded put out from his shortstop position.  

Colin Moe continued on his hot streak with two hits, with Larson lacing a double to right and Sean Loder smashing a double to straight away center, falling one foot in front of the fence in the deepest part of the ballpark. Mauterer and Buxton also got in the hit parade, Canepa added. 

The entire team has contributed to their unbeaten 13-0 status: 

• Emma Bowser's incredible clutch pitching and outfield play
• Alex Dargan, who could forget his frozen rope double to win the district championship
• Dylan Dammann’s outfield play
• Stephan Hartwell's game-winning hit and fine play in the field
• The hitting prowess of Jack Mckay and Owen Brass
• And the fine play at second base by Tommy Flynn, whose made a number of key stops.  

"This is a team that is destined for more," Canepa said.

In the first photo above, the Mill Valley Little League 10-year-old all-stars celebrate their 9-1 over Petaluma Valley on July 17, 2013, clinching the sectional championship and sent the squad to the Northern California Championship tournament in San Jose. Back row: Doug Canepa (manager), Tony Brass (coach), Dan Dargan (coach); Left to right second row: Casey Walls, Sean Loder, Colin Moe, Van Larson, Stephan Hartwell, Owen Brass, Cade Cessna, Jack Mckay, Alex Dargan, Harry Mauterer, Emma Bowser; Front Row: Dylan Dammann, Tommy Flynn, Jake Buxton.