(Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misstated the relationship between Noah Kirk and Alejandro Kirk. They are cousins.)
On June 1, the Sweetwater Valley Little League All-Stars and their manager, Steve Winnick, gathered in Bonita, Calif. for the first day of practice.
The Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, came up.
“I said we have what it takes to not only go to the Williamsport but to win it all,’’ Winnick told USA TODAY Sports. “But you guys have to trust each other, gel with each other, do all the things that we need to do to get there.’’
Sure enough, Sweetwater Valley has reached Williamsport. The team from San Diego County will represent the West Region in the 20-team, modified double-elimination tournament
for players 10 to 12 with a chance to prove its manager right -- and win it all.
Sweetwater Valleywill play its opening game at 6 p.m. ET Thursday Aug. 20 (weather permitting) against the Midwest Regional winner, Davenport Northwest Little League of Davenport, Iowa.
“To be here is honestly surreal,’’ Winnick said. “There’s a lot of good Southern California teams, a lot of good teams in the West Region.’’
Sweetwater Valley played some of the best during the LLWS West Regional tournament Aug. 9-14. It won all three of its games by a combined score of 33-7.
Sweetwater Valley stars
There are no easy outs on Sweetwater Valley’s roster, and the team also has stars. Two to watch: Noah Kirk and Isaac Ramirez.
Kirk, a cousin of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, is scheduled to start against Davenport, Iowa. His fastball reportedly has been clocked at 75 mph and he also throws off-speed pitches with accuracy.
Yet the pitcher who dazzled during the West Regional was Isaac Ramirez. Ramirez pitched in a one-hitter and struck out seven batters in six innings during a 6-0 victory over Hawaii.
“Those two pitchers were top shelf,’’ said Greg Isom, an assistant coach for San Ramon Valley of Northern California that lost to Sweetwater Valley 16-4 at the West Regional tournament.
Martinez, who plays left field when he’s not pitching, also hit a grand slam in the West Regional championship game. He went 6-for-8 with four RBIs and six runs over the three games.
Kirk, who plays shortstop when he’s not on the mound, went 4-for-8, four RBIs and three runs during the three games.
Other players who shined at the tournament include second baseman Templeton Tran, who went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs along with right fielder and catcher Grant Mielke, who went 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBIs.
Transcending talent
Sweetwater Valley's success transcends talent, according to Isom, the assistant coach for San Ramon Valley.
“I'd say the one thing that really stood out to me was the camaraderie that the team had," Isom said. “Even when one of their guys got down, their whole team surrounded the kid and encouraged him. Having that type of team chemistry right now is key going into the World Series."
Also, during the opening game at the West Regional tournament, Sweetwater Valley trailed San Valley Ramon 2-1 after two innings. It led 3-2 heading into the fourth inning.
“And then their bats came alive," Isom said.
Sweetwater Valley scored 13 runs over the final three innings on its way to a 16-4 victory.
“They never seemed to get down and they never had bad body language,'' Isom added. "So it was fun to watch and it was fun to play against them.’’
'Might take it all the way'
Another valuable scouting report comes from Kaili Panui, manager of the team from Kaua'i's Kawaihau in Hawaii. In the West Regional tournament, Panui’s team lost twice to Sweetwater Valley by a combined score of 17-3.
“First off, they're a big, big team,’’ Panui said. “Their pitching’s outstanding, that's for sure.
“They're definitely well rounded. Their defense was outstanding. They were making backend plays, making diving plays. Even those short balls, in the Bermuda triangle, they're diving right in it.’’
After beating Hawaii 6-0 in their first game, Sweetwater Valley beat them again 11-3 in the championship game.
Said Panui, “I told the kids, we lost, but you watch this team…They might make it all the way.’’
Contributing: Andrés Soto
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California ready to 'win it all' at Little League World Series: What to know
