12U Giants earn title for first time at tournament

What a season it’s been for the Mariposa Little League Giants in the 12U Majors Division.

After only losing their very first game of the season, it’s been lights out.

“It’s been a super fun year,” said coach Jeremiah Beery.

“This is one of the best groups of kids I’ve coached.”

Players on the roster were Mason Sainz, Canyon Bernstein, Braden Moore, Riley Vandusen, Reese Krull, Bryce Scroggins, Caleb Trujillo, Jace Wight, Levi Beery, Wyatt Remingtong and Jace Taylor.

Coaching with Beery were Justin Wight and Brandon Remington.

After a 2-1 loss during their first game of the season, the team went 16-1 to finish the regular season.

The Giants scored 197 runs and allowed 29 runs in 17 games.

Their 16-1 record advanced the team to the California District 73 Little League Tournament of Champions (TOC) hosted by Yosemite Little League in Coarsegold.

The TOC is a tournament which consists of the best teams from each league from Turlock American, Turlock National, Atwater, Mariposa County, Modesto-Empire and Yosemite.

“Each league sends their best team,” Beery said.

“We set that goal early in the season and beat some bigger teams. Ever since that first loss it’s been game on.”

The Giants from Mariposa opened the tournament against Yosemite on June 7 and won big with a final score of 15-5.

The excitement continued the next day on June 8 when the Giants kept the momentum going and won over Modesto 21-5 to advance to the championship.

The Giants earned their rings on June 10 with a 15-0 shutout over Modeso-Empire.

“The kids were fired up they got the ring,” Beery said.

“We knew early on that this is a good team.”

Mariposa has never won the TOC at the 12U level.

“It’s the most competitive age group,” Beery said.

“I love to see the kids not only getting better at baseball but they’re learning about life.”

Mariposa County currently has a strong baseball culture.

“Our league is better than the teams we were playing this year,” Beery said.

“That stems from a lot of years of good coaching and it’s showing.”

It’s always about the kids.

“They’re learning life lessons and just getting better every time they come out,” the coach said.

“When you challenge kids, they get better and it’s really why sports are amazing.”

Beery praised the community and parent involvement this year.

“We have really good high school and junior high teams this year and that’s because of the support at the younger levels,” he said.

“We had great parent involvement and it’s been fun to see these kids grow.”