The Sparkling Cider sat chilled during the Cascade Vista Athletic Club Bronco Championship game Saturday at King of Kings Church. The secret celebration by Pirates Head Coach Joe Principe was for his team if they could beat the defending champion Athletics. The Pirates chances were just as equal as the Athletics; during the regular season each team won two, loss two and tied twice.

But the Pirates and Principe’s dream came up short losing 11-2 to the team in green.

Instead of leaving the cider for another day, Principe knew the bottles of celebration would be better used when he dropped the cooler at the feet of Athletics coach Kyle Anderson.

Many of the Athletics appeared puzzled until Anderson popped the top and sprayed the cider on this team. Suddenly, just like Major League Baseball players winning the World Series, the other bottles popped and players were showering each other.

Though these are just 11- and 12-year-olds playing baseball, for many it will be the last time they see the field of dream while others play the game for the first time and it won’t be their last.

The Athletics had two home runs by Bailey Ryan and Jett Briceno. Ryan’s three run shot to deep center (estimated at 235 feet) gave the A’s a 7-1 lead in the third. Briceno deep right hit rolled nearly 260 feet, giving the first time ballplayer another run for the 11-2 final.

Garrett Grosso went 2-for-2 (double, triple, walk) to bring in early runs. Jeremy Banks pitched the final innings of the game, shutting down the Pirates.

The Pirates scored their first run in the second and their second in the fifth. Ross Principe went 2-for-2 with two singles; Ben Victoria went 2-for-2 with two singles; Hans Erickson was 1-for-2 with a double and a run.

Athletics roster – Carson Anderson, Jeremy Banks, DeAngelo Barajas, Jett Briceno, Trent DeLucia, Marquis Gallegos, Garrett Grosso, Covaughn “Vaughn” Jeffery, Jermane Johnson-Presley, Bailey Ryan, Enrico Varma and Matthew Wallitner.

Pirates’ roster – Brian Adams, Reid Baber, Zanny Chaudry, Hans Erickson, David Fierro, Bryce Hilfer, Liam Jenness, Cruz Medina, Antonio Pebworth, Ross Principe, Ben Victoria and Corbin Walker.

Angels 12, Braves 2 (four innings) – Mustang (ages 9-10) Championship:

The Mustang Angels one-hit the Braves at CVAC Field Saturday for a repeat as champions. The Angels scored their runs in the second and third after Braves pitcher Bill Kriner held them scoreless.

The Braves only hit was a double by Vincent Calonzo. They scored in the top of the fourth on walks scoring Logan Montgomery and Maurisio Sanchez.

The Angels were led by pitcher PJ Duncan who struck out six Braves and went 2-for-2 with a single and double at the plate. Also Reeves Davidson came in to close out the game with five strikeouts, replacing starting pitcher Rece Hoddinott.

Angels roster – Alex  Barnett, Reeves Davidson, Elijah Dollente, Blake Dompier, PJ Duncan, Cam Harris, Rece Hoddinott, Damien  Janson, Spencer King, Elijah Mays, Andrew Moberly and Elijah Palowski.

Braves roster – Isaiah Bugni, Vincent Calonzo, Laird Desmarais, Javin Fernandez, Nicolas Fox, Alex Gormley, Isaiah Jauregui, Bill Kriner, Logan Montgomery, Reid Richardson, Maurisio Sanchez and Caleb Victoria.

Braves 6, Rockies 4 – Bronco (ages 11-12) 3rd/4th place game

The Bronco consolation game featured several long hits including Rockies’ Oliver Murdock who went 4-for-4, single, two doubles and a triple to deep center field in the 6-4 loss. The Braves Kyle Hoskovich went 2-for-2 with single and double, 3 RBIs. Johnathan Tift had 4 Ks and scored twice. Conner Kaul closed the game for the win and the 3rd place trophy.

The Rockies’ Cameron Lyons relieved Collin Madison in the first inning with one out  to pitch 4 2/3 innings striking out nine Braves. Lyons also went 3-for-3 with three singles and scoring twice. Madison 2-for-4, two singles and scored 2 runs. Nito Loma-Arrayales 2-for-4, two singles.

The defensive play of the game mentioned by both coaches was the throw by Rockies center fielder Elijah Olson to third baseman Bryson Nelson who reached across his body, spinning to tag out a sliding Kenny Holthaus Jr. Rockies Head Coach Heath Madison said that play prevented the Braves from scoring additional runs.

Braves roster – Brandon Apostol, Wani Elkington IV, Isaac Elliot, Nicholas Hamakami, Kenny Holthaus Jr, Kyle Hoskovich, Conner Kaul, Ian McIntosh, Owen Redford, Nick” Stringer, Johnathan Tift and Tyler Wiley

Rockies roster – Jamia Birks, Joey Franklin, Nito Loma-Arrayales, Cameron Lyons, Collin Madison, Oliver Murdock, Bryson Nelson, Elijah Olson, Lucas Pisciotta, Tyler Sisson and Justin Williams.

Red Sox 11, Reds 10 – Mustang 3rd/4th place game

The fourth seeded Reds were up 10-5 at the end of five innings Saturday at Benson Hill Elementary against the Red Sox. The game featured 14 walks accounting for most of the runs in the game. In the bottom of the six inning Leo Albrecht drove in the winning bases loaded single for the Red Sox 11-10 win.

There were four lead changes in the game. The Red’s hitting highlight was a 2-run double by Isiah Doss.