Arcade Creek’s 50/70 players and coaches hold their heads high before receiving their consolation pins. 

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - A dream season for the 50/70 team from Arcade Creek Little League ended at the Northern California State Championship Tournament last week at Brooktree Park in Citrus Heights.

After winning their first game of the double-elimination tournament on July 7 versus Sunnyvale Little League, the team was in a great position to earn the first NorCal Championship in the small league’s storied history.

Arcade Creek’s Nathan Beebe delivers a pitch in the first inning of the Northern California State Championship semifinal game on July 12. 

“What I like about this team is we all play together, not as individuals,” said leadoff batter and starting second baseman, Jaiden Binion, before the NorCal tournament started. “I always knew we had it in us, because we’re a good defensive and offensive team.”

Confidence was high among the players going into their second game of the tournament, where they faced off against Bollinger Canyon Little League from San Ramon on July 10. Arcade Creek assistant coach Casey Nickols described their opponent as one of the most polished teams he had seen at this level.

Rex Laird scores the first run of the game for Arcade Creek on July 12. 

Many of the Bollinger Canyon players were on the 2023 under-12 NorCal Champion team that nearly went to the 2023 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. That team made it to the championship game of West Region where they lost 3-1 to El Segundo Little League. By winning that game, El Segundo went to Williamsport, where they eventually won the Little League World Series.

Bollinger Canyon put that experience and polished skill on display as they beat Arcade Creek 14-0 on July 10.

The game was tight early on as both teams put runners on but failed to get them home. There was no score after two innings when Bollinger Canyon broke the game open with 10 runs in the bottom of the third, and never looked back. Three Bollinger Canon pitchers combined for a no-hitter, and never allowed an Arcade Creek player to reach second base.

Despite the loss, Arcade Creek was still alive in the tournament. With a win against Mark West Little League in the semifinal game on July 12, they could advance to the championship game where Bollinger Canyon was awaiting the winner.

Arcade Creek starting pitcher Nathan Beebe took the mound as temperatures reached 112 degrees. But it was Mark West Little League’s bats that were sizzling in the first inning. Sharp hits and a couple costly errors gave Mark West an early 3-0 lead after one.

Arcade Creek got one back in the third inning when Rex Laird laced a one-out triple down the right field line and scored on an overthrow. Only down 3-1 after three innings, Arcade Creek was hoping for a momentum shift.

But Mark West had other ideas. Strong consistent hitting and three more tough errors gave Mark West a commanding 10-1 lead in the fourth inning. They would go on to win 13-2 and earn a spot in the championship game versus Bollinger Canyon. 

A dejected Arcade Creek time had lost two games in a row for the first time all season but they were able to hold their heads high, given the major accomplishments of their stellar season. The 50/70 team went 27-4 over the course of the long season, winning three banners along the way.

“The highlight of the season for me was beating Arden in the ‘If’ game to win District 5,” said coach Randal Beebe. “The boys showed heart after losing the first game to come back and battle a good team to win.”

The team’s milestone wins included winning the District 5 Tournament of Champions, the District 5 Tournament and the Section 4 Star Championship.

“The team made some incredible memories together this season that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives,” said coach Casey Nickols. “The camaraderie and the commitment they had to show up for the team and each other every game are huge reasons for their success and will surely serve as inspiration for the other ACLL teams.”

Added coach Brian Deyo, “One of our goals as coaches is to equip those who plan on playing for a high school baseball team with the necessary tools to compete for a spot in the program.”

Bollinger Canyon won the NorCal Championship on July 13, defeating Mark West 4-2, and will represent Northern California in the Little League West Region Intermediate Tournament in Nogales, Arizona from July 17 to 25.

As for the Arcade Creek 50/70 team, they’re already looking forward to playing in the fall at the next level. It’s clear that they are all well-prepared to make the jump.

Interested in signing up your child aged 4 to 16 for Little League Baseball or Little League Softball this fall? Registrations for fall programs are now open. For more information about Arcade Creek Little League, go to www.arcadecreekll.com. For general information about Little League International, go to www.littleleague.org