OVLL All-Stars make history
By Misty Volaski

It's the bottom of the sixth, score, 0-0. The Oak View Little League All-Stars are at their last at-bat. A win would mean a trip to the playoffs in San Bernardino, something that had never been done before in Oak View.

Knowing what this game meant to the team - and the community - three All-Stars came together to make history for OVLL.

Lead-off batter Thomas Quackenbush stepped up to the plate to crack out a single, followed by Jimmie Johnson, who contributed a double. Then came Tyler Richardson, who had pitched this game and allowed no runs (he also pitched in the Section 1 finals in Santa Paula, allowing just one hit that day).

Before he knew it, Richardson was running the bases, having hit the game-winning three-run homer.

"It felt great," enthused Richarson. "It all happened so fast. It's hard to explain! When I was running the bases I was so excited. It just didn't feel like I did it."

Richardson's hit gave Oak View the win against Northside Little League, 3-0.

Other key players were Kiko David and Trevor Leal, both of whom singled but did not score.

"We never expected we'd get this far. We had high expectations to win district," said team manager Jon Johnson Thursday morning. "We're driving right now to San Bernardino, and I'm just shaking my head. I can't believe it. The kids will never have this opportunity again."

The Oak View Little League All-Stars will play at Newmark Little League in San Bernadino throughout the weekend.

The team, coached by Glenn Pinkard, Tim Leal and Robert Garcia and managed by Johnson, includes Trevor Leal, Jimmie Johnson,

Richardson, David, Michael Murietta, Michael Garcia, Joe Brazier, Cody Keller, Quackenbush and Eric White.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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