CLEARLAKE — Bryan Edwards tossed a seven-hitter and John Carrera and Aaron Adams each went 3-for-3 as the Junior League All-Stars of the Westshore Little League beat Healdsburg 11-3 to win the Junior League Central Area Championship on Wednesday evening at Redbud Park in Clearlake.
Westshore is the first Lake County team to win the Junior League Area Championship since Little League split its age 13-16 players into two separate divisions Junior League (13-14) and Senior League (15-16) 25 years ago.
Healdsburg had a 2-0 lead until Westshore pushed ahead to stay in the top of the third. Corey Dillon reached on a fielder”s choice and Ryan Lunas was hit by a pitch (and replaced by pinch-runner Adams). Carrera followed with an RBI single to make it 2-1. A balk advanced Adams to third and Carrera to second before Ryan Grady singled on a two-strike, two-out pitch to score both runners and give Westshore a 3-2 lead.
Westshore picked up four runs in the fourth for a 7-2 lead on a two-run single by Lunas and a two-run double by Carrera.
Healdsburg ace Mike Wilson took the loss.
Westshore advances to the District 35 Area Tournament hosted by Rancho Cotati Little League in Sonoma County and will play Windsor on Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. If Westshore wins, it will play again on Sunday at 11 a.m. If Westshore loses, it will play Saturday at 11 a.m.
