One Down, One to Go: BRS Defeats Arizona 8-1

Behind the stellar pitching of Nick Lopez Friday night, and the lively bats of the offense, the Belmont Redwood Shores Little League All Stars cruised to an 8-1 win in the semi-final game of the Western Regional Tournament in San Bernadino.

Now just one game stands between this group of 11 and 12-year-old ball players and the Little League World Series.

Yes, one game.

Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Belmont Redwood Shores will face Southern California's Eastlake Little League team in to decide the Western Regional champion.

Click on the slideshow above for highlights of Friday's view party at CHS.

The winner won't have time to go home and wash their uniforms and grab a snack---they will board a plane IN Southern California and fly directly to Williamsport, PA for "the big show."

If baseball is America's game, then youth baseball is small-town America's game. And Friday night, baseball fans in the towns of Belmont and Redwood Shores came out to cheer for their young hometown heroes.

The stage for victory was set at the Carlmont High School Student Union---chairs were lined up, burgers were on the grill, popcorn was popped, ESPN was on the overhead projector, and an entire community showed up. 

"It's great for the community to come together to watch the team play in Southern California," said Belmont City Manager Greg Scoles before the game.

"I'm hoping there are two more wins so I can come back here to watch the Little League World Series," Scoles added.

In addition to being a place for the community to gather to cheer on the team, the watch party Friday night helped raise money to alleviate the team's travel expenses and included a barbecue organized by the Belmont Fire Department, a raffle organized by the Belmont Chamber of Commerce, and a silent auction. Team t-shirts were also on sale.

State Assemblymember Kevin Mullins has three nephews who play Little League baseball in Belmont, so he joined in on the watch party Friday night to cheer on the All Stars.

"This is incredibly exciting for these boys," said Mullin.

"It's great when something like this can bring the Belmont and Redwood Shores communities together. Last year Petaluma had this kind of success, and we're hoping for the same success for the team from Belmont Redwood Shores," Mullin added.

Utilizing the Carlmont High School Student Union for a community watch party made perfect sense to Sequoia Union High School board member Alan Sarver.

"It's thrilling to see this watch party here at the high school. This type of community event is exactly what should take place in this student union. I'm very proud of this community," said Sarver.
          
Click on the slideshow above for highlights of Friday's view party at CHS.

The next game is Saturday at 6:00 p.m., and watch party is scheduled. Doors will open at 5:15 at the Carlmont High School Student Union.