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WH LITTLE LEAGUE 2018

















Mayor Nancy Rossi throws out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day at Morse Park, May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


May 5, 2018 - The West Haven Little League officially opened the 2018 season on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Games were played prior during the week after the original Opening Day was rained out on April 29. 

















K.J. Harp (5) scores for the White Sox against the Brewers, May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 

In majors action, the White Sox rallied to defeat the Brewers 10-6, with the big blow coming off the bat of K.J. Harp who homered. Lucas Forgette and Gabe Santarcangelo also played well for the White Sox in the win. Cameron Cruz and Brady Price played well in defeat for the Brewers. 

















Anthony Constantinople (14) makes the tag for the out for the Cubs against the A's, May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.

In other majors action, the A's topped the Cubs 10-0 as Will Panza was solid on the hill. Michael Madera, Chase Supan, Panza, Ray Gilbert and Thomas Porto each were solid at the plate for the A's. 

















Chase Supan hits for the A's, May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.

Evan Jones, Haygen Axelrod, and Anthony Constantinople all played well in the loss for the Cubs.  

May 12, 2018 - The Emmett’s Auto A's opened up the 2018 Little League season winning their first three games.
In the opening game, the A's defeated the Malangone Mechanical White Sox 4-0. Thomas Porto pitched the complete game, striking out seven batters. Mike Madera scored three times and Matt Suchy added two hits for the A's.
The A's then defeated the Full Circle Pizza Cubs 9-0. Will Panza Pitched 5 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. The A's third win was a 16-6 win over the Executive Protection and Transport Brewers. Madera and Porto combined for the win on the mound.
Owen Fletcher started on the mound for the Brewers, going two innings. The A's came out swinging scoring three runs in the first, but the Brewers answered with two of their own in the bottom of the first.
With the A’s leading 9-6 in the fourth, the game remained close with Thomas Rolfe on the mound for the Brewers, pitching two innings until the A's pulled away in the top of the fifth with six runs. 
Cameron Cruz was 2-for-3 with a double. Ethan Dasilva and Dave Quiroz had solid at bats for the Brewers in the loss
Cubs pitcher Connor Hume pitched three solid innings in a 17-6 victory over the White Sox. Anthony Constantinople had three hits and Febrizio Nunes added a triple. 
On Saturday, Evan Jones pitched four innings, striking out eight and adding three hits in a 13-2 win over the Brewers. Haygen Axelrod had two hits, and Dominic Poindexter added a long double. 
In minors action, the East Coast Overhead Door Mariners split two games with the Orioles over the weekend behind the fine pitching of Ethan English and Joel Gordon. Seth Jones added a timely triple.

(May 26, 2018) - The Full Circle Pizza Cubs opened the week in West Haven Little League action with a thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Malangone Mechanical White Sox Wednesday evening.
Jesse Buonocore started on the mound for the Cubs, and had three hits, including a walk-off double in the bottom of the sixth. Evan Jones added a double and got the win in relief for the Cubs, while Dominic Poindexter also doubled. Connor Hume caught a good game on the defensive side.  
For the White Sox, Dylan Agvent started and pitched well, and added a triple late in the game.
The White Sox rebounded with a 5-4 victory over the Executive Protection and Transport Brewers. Despite the loss, Brewers pitcher Brady Price tossed 5 1/3 solid innings, but came up short in a close game.
The Brewers had the tying run on base, but left Stephon Dowling at third in the bottom of the sixth. Logan Truncone scored twice for the Brewers, and Josh Trager was solid behind the plate, throwing out a couple of runners. 
The Emmett’s Auto A's remained undefeated at 6-0 with three wins this past week.
The A's defeated the White Sox 6-1 to open the week. Will Panza started on the mound, pitched well, and was the winning pitcher. Mike Madera had two hits for the A's.

















Mike Madera of the A's rounds second against the Cubs, May 26, 2018 in WHLL Majors action, May 26, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 
The second win of the week was an 11-1 decision over the Brewers. Madera was the winning pitcher and Ray Gilbert added two hits for the A's.
The third win was a 10-9 decision over the Cubs Saturday morning. Madera and Thomas Porto combined pitching for the A's, and Nate Pipeling and Jay Scanlon had big hits for the A's
The Cubs scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the comeback fell short in the loss. Braeden Izzo played a solid defensive game at second base, while Hudson Axelrod led off for the Cubs, tallying three walks and a single. 

In minors action, the ​East Coast Overhead Door Mariners defeated the Diamondbacks 10-1. Derick Lopez did it all on Saturday, pitching the Mariners past the Diamondbacks, while adding a home run at the plate.  Kenny Tavarez locked things down in relief and connected for a run-scoring double of his own. 

(June 3, 2018) - The West Haven Little League Majors Division had plenty of exciting contests this past week. In a week which was action-packed, the Sports cave Cubs and the Emmett’s Auto A’s continued their hot streaks.
The Cubs won two of three games this week, opening with a 2-1 victory over the White Sox Tuesday evening. Jeremiah Kavanah pitched five strong innings and Anthony Constantinople came in for the save in the win for Cubs.
After a one-run loss to the A’s, the Cubs came back in impressive fashion with a 17-6 victory over the Brewers Saturday morning. Haygen Axelrod came on in relief to shut down the Brewers in the victory. Febrizio Nunes added a big hit which cleared the bases to open up the game and the Cubs made several key defensive plays to keep the Brewers from extending their lead early in the contest. Cam Cruz had two hits for the Brewers. 
After losing to the A’s to start the week, the Brewers got over the hump with their first win of the season, topping the White Sox 5-0 Wednesday evening. Cruz pitched a three-hit complete game shutout for the Brewers. He also scored three runs to help the Brewers in the victory.
The defense was solid for the Brewers with Ethan Dasilva making a couple of nice plays at second base. Jacob Fowler picked up a run batted in as well for the Brewers. 
The A's raised their record to 9-0 with three victories this past week. The A's opened the week with a victory over the Brewers. Mike Madera picked up the win on the mound, and Will Panza and Ray Gilbert sparked the offense.
The A's followed with a thrilling come-from-behind 7-6 victory over the Cubs 7-6. Chase Supan and Panza split the mound duties, and Supan’s bunt single and Ray Gilbert's double were part of the winning combination in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Jesse Buonocore crushed two home runs and a triple for the Cubs. Hunter Chancio was 1-for-1 with a walk, while Buonocore and Constantinople pitched strong in the loss. 
The A's third win of the week was a 7-6 comeback win against the White Sox. Madera and Gilbert combined for a fine pitching performance. Nate Pipeling supplied the game winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning, while Madera and Gilbert also had big sixth inning hits to help rally the A’s.

Dylan Agvent pitched well for the White Sox, while Zach Boutieller hit a double to right bringing in two runs. Joe Maligone and Lucas Forgette had a good game defensively. 
In Minors Division action, the East Coast Overhead Door Mariners fell to the Orioles 14-13 in a barn burner. Glenn Pullen led the Mariners’ bats, going 3-for-3. Roberto Melendez added a triple, and Joel Gordon made some fine defensive plays at first base.
In West Haven girls Minors softball action, the Westies defeated Hamden 7-2. Amarae Rosario was terrific on the mound and pitched three innings to get the win, Rosario also had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.
Aniah Glover added three hits and drove in three runs, and Talia DeCrescenzo added two hits and a run batted in. London Ryan had one hit and played great defense at first base. 

(June 10, 2018) - There are no unbeaten teams remaining in the West Haven Little League Majors Division as the Full Circle Pizza Cubs topped the Emmett’s Auto A’s 9-3 last week to send the A’s to their first loss of the season.
Evan Jones of the Cubs pitched a complete game and added three hits in the win. Braeden Izzo, Haygen Axelrod and Jesse Buonocore added two hits apiece in the win. Josh Osborne had two hits for the A’s, while Thomas Porto and Mike Madera scored the only runs for the A’s. Matt Suchy played well defensively in the loss for the A’s.
The Malangone Mechanical White Sox lost two of three games this week, opening with a win over the Executive Protection and Transport Brewers, before falling to the Cubs twice in a row.
In the opening game of the week, the White Sox topped the Brewers 19-11. Gabe Santarcangelo started on the mound, struck out five and did not allow a run in two innings of work.
The White Sox set the tone of the game with eight runs in the first inning. Rui DaSilva led the way in the game with a hit and two runs batted in, Lucas Forgette, K.J. Harp, and Dylan Agvent each had two hits and two runs batted in,
Joe Malangone played well defensively, along with a run-scoring double, and Agvent closed the contest, striking out five.
On Wednesday night, the Cubs topped the White Sox 2-0 in a pitcher’s duel. Buonocore and KJ Harp of the White Sox both pitched five strong innings.
Buonocore and Jones provided the offense which led to two runs in the 4th inning. Buonocore struck out 10 for the Cubs while Harp had the two lone hits for the White Sox. 
Harp pitched a complete game for the White Sox, tossing a three-hitter, and allowing only one earned run. Tristan Dos and Carter Hemstock each played well defensively for the White Sox.
The Cubs then thoroughly defeated the White Sox 14-2 Saturday morning. The Cubs’ Connor Hume and Jeremiah Kavanah had clutch run-scoring hits, while Axelrod and Buonocore added two hits apiece in the win. 
Forgette led the way for the White Sox with two hits and a run batted in, and also played well defensively helping turn a double play early in the contest to keep the game close. Harp also played well defensively at short.
The A's bounced back from their first loss of the season, jumped out to an early lead and held on to defeat the Brewers 3-2.
Will Panza was the winning pitcher and Chase Supan closed the game, getting the final two outs. Nate Pipeling and Supan led the A’s offensively.
The A’s led 2-0 after the second inning, before the Brewers answered back in the top of the third with two runs of their own. 
With JJ Alling on first, Logan Truncone of the Brewers laced a shot to the fence for a triple. He then scored on a pass ball to tie the game. With solid pitching by Cameron Cruz and great defense by Stephon Dowling and Kevin Jason, the Brewers had an opportunity for the upset but fell by one run.
The A’s then topped the Brewers once again to close the week. In a balanced scoring attack, the A’s rebounded from an early deficit to post the victory.
Madera and Ray Gilbert pitched well for the A’s, while Osborne and Jay Scanlon led the offense.
In Minors action, the East Coast Overhead Door Mariners fell to the Shop Rite Garafalo Markets Dodgers 5-1.Ethan English and Kenny Tavarez combined for four shutout innings against the Dodgers with the help of some fine glove work by Ryder Greika at short.  Derek Lopez added a monster double that barely stayed in the park.

(June 17, 2018) - The regular season came to a close this week in the West Haven Little League as the postseason now approaches.
In Majors action, the Full Circle Pizza Cubs ended on a high note, winning their final two games.
Connor Hume and Jeremiah Kavanah combined to beat the Brewers Executive Protection and Transport 12-6. Dominic Poindexter, Fabrizio Nunes and Braeden Izzo all had two hits in the win. Cam Cruz and Jacob Fowler had two hits for the Brewers. 
Nunes and Evan Jones then combined to beat the Emmett’s Auto A’s 12-2 in four innings. Jones and Haygen Axelrod each had two hits, while Hudson Axelrod caught a great game. Hume had a clutch two-out, two-run single. Thomas Porto added a run-scoring double and later scored for the A’s. Will Panza and Porto led the offense for the A’s.
The A's split two games this past week and ended the regular season at 12-2.Will Panza pitched a one-hitter in a win over the Brewers, Mike Madera, Panza, Chase Supan, Ray Gilbert and Porto all had multiple hit games for the A's.
The Brewers picked up a big win Wednesday night by coming from behind and beating the Malangone Mechanical White Sox 7-6.
The Sox jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the second inning, before Kevin Jason took over the pitching for the Brewers and held the Sox at six.
Stephon Dowling laced a single up the middle to start the rally. Thomas Rolf, scored three runs, got Dowling over to third, and Dowling scored on a passed ball for the lead. 
The defense was solid in the top of the sixth, getting the Sox to go down in order to get the win. 
David Quiroz and JJ Alling had solid at bats to help in the win. 

(June 24, 2018) - The Full Circle Pizza Cubs beat the Emmett’s Auto A’s 5-2 to take home the West Haven Little League Majors Division title Sunday evening at Morse Park. The two teams played eight times this year, with each team winning four games.

















Full Circle Pizza Cubs. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 
Jesse Buonocore was solid on the mound for the Cubs as was Will Panza for the A’s.  The Cubs’ offense was sparked by Haygen Axelrod, Fabrizio Nunez, Braeden Izzo and Hunter Chancio, who all came up with key hits. 
Evan Jones and Jeremiah Kavanah led the way defensively.  Buonocore went five innings and Haygen Axelrod pitched out of a jam in the sixth to seal the win.  Both teams played a tremendous game from top to bottom. 
Panza pitched well in defeat, while Mike Madera scored both runs for the A's. Chase Supan and Ray Gilbert hit well for the A's.

















Emmett's Auto A's. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 
The A’s beat the Cubs 5-4 Saturday evening to force a winner take all championship game Sunday.  Supan was superb on the mound, shutting down the Cubs for most of the game, with Thomas Porto getting the save by getting out of a sixth inning jam.
With the A’s leading 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Chancio connected for a three-run triple to tie the game, forcing extra innings.  The A’s came back in the seventh inning to score one run on hits by Madera and Panza.
The A's opened the playoffs with a win over the Brewers. Madera was the winning pitcher, and Nate Pipeling and JJ Hall led a balanced hitting attack. 
The A's lost the second playoff game 6-2 to the Cubs. Buonocore led the way on the mound for the Cubs and at the plate with two hits.  Connor Hume made several key plays at second base, while Hudson Axelrod was solid behind the plate again.
Panza pitched well in the loss for the A’s, while Supan, Josh Osbourne and Hall had hits for the A's.
The A's bounced back in the win column with an 11-1 victory over the White Sox to advance to the championship round. Madera was the winning pitcher, while Gilbert and Josh Mongillo had key hits in the win. 
The Executive Protection and Transport Brewers ended its season with a playoff loss to the Malangone Mechanical White Sox 4-1.
Zach Boutieller came to play for the White Sox, with two hits, including a nice double to score two runs. K.J. Harp pitched five innings for the White Sox with nine strikeouts, only giving up one run. Nico Ruocco came through with a solo homerun. 
Cameron Cruz pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts for the Brewers, and Thomas Rolfe had two hits. Jason Alling made some nice plays at third base to keep the team in it. Owen Fletcher and Kevin Jason were solid at the plate.
Coach George Price would like to thank his graduating players for making it a fun season. Those players are Joshua Trager, Ethan Dasilva, David Quiroz, and Alling. 

(July 2, 2018) - The West Haven 12U All-Star team split its first two games in tournament play, topping Pop Smith to start the tournament, before falling to Max Sinoway.
In the opener against Pop Smith, the Westies posted a 10-5 victory. K.J. Harp led the offense with three hits and five runs batted in, Jesse Buonocore had three hits and drove in a run, while Will Panza scored three times.
West Haven set the tone of the game, scoring four times in the first inning and never looking back. Mike Madera opened the contest with a single and Evan Jones followed suit. After both Madera and Jones scored and Panza singled, Harp ripped a homer to left for a 4-0 lead.
Harp’s two-run single in the second scored Jones and Panza, before Chase Supan singled in another run and later scored in the inning for an 8-2 lead. Run-scoring singles by Harp and Buonocore plated Panza and Harp in the fourth for a 10-2 advantage.
Anthony Constantinople started on the hill for the Westies and pitched a solid contest, before Buonocore relieved to end the contest.
West Haven fell to 1-1 in pool play with a 6-2 loss to Max Sinoway Sunday afternoon. Trailing 2-0 in the third, Madera reached on an error, Jones singled, and Panza walked to load the bases. Madera scored on a wild pitch, but the Westies could not push across the tying run.
Max Sinoway took a 5-1 lead in the fourth with a three-run homer, before Jones scored as part of a double steal. West Haven, which managed just three hits in the game, could not get closer. 

(July 9, 2018) - The West Haven 12U All-Stars advanced to the playoff portion in tournament play this week. The Westies split their first two games of the week to secure a spot in the playoff portion of the tournament.
The Westies opened the week with a 5-0 victory over Branford at Morse Park last Monday evening. Anthony Constantinople was in control from start to finish on the hill, limiting Branford’s offensive attack. K.J. Harp closed the door in the last inning of a solid pitching performance.
Mike Madera led the offensive attack with four hits, while Will Panza, Harp, Constantinople, and Gabe Santarcangelo each reached base twice. Panza and Harp each walked and singled, Constantinople doubled and reached on an error, and Santarcangelo singled twice.
West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the third as Santarcangelo and Madera opened the inning with singles, and both scored on a double by Evan Jones. Jones moved to third on a grounder by Panza, and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Harp.
The Westies increased the lead to 5-0 with two more runs in the fifth. Panza opened the inning with a single and Harp followed with a walk. With one run in, Constantinople’s double extended the margin to five runs.
The Westies fell to 2-2 after falling to Milford 3-0 Thursday evening in Milford. Jesse Buonocore pitched well in the loss.
After giving up two runs in the first and another in the second, Buonocore and Harp, who relieved in the fifth, allowed just two baserunners over the next three innings. West Haven had its opportunities to get back in the game, but could not get the timely hit in the last four innings.
The Westies had a chance to get back in the game in the third as Haygen Axelrod was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Madera followed with a one-out walk. Panza singled with two outs, but a perfect throw nailed Axelrod at the plate to end the frame.
Harp and Ray Gilbert reached base to open the fourth, but went no further, before Madera singled with one out in the fifth and Panza drew a two-out walk. Milford again escaped without any damage, getting a hard hit grounder to short to end the frame.
Gilbert led off the sixth with a double to left, but only got as far as third as the Westies fell by three runs. 
Madera reached base three times, while Panza and Gilbert each reached twice in the loss.
The Westies closed round robin play with a 9-8 loss against Annex. In a game which saw the Westies take an early three-run lead, then battle to even the game at four, West Haven rallied late, but fell just short. Jones, Panza, Harp and Gilbert led the Westies with two hits apiece. 
Panza, Harp and Gilbert had run-scoring hits in the first inning for a 3-1 lead, before Jones singled and scored to even the game at four in the third. 
After the Westies went quietly over the next two innings and were sloppy on defense, they entered the last inning trailing 9-4. A one-out walk by Chase Supan was followed by hits from Constantinople and Axelrod.
A fielder's choice by Cam Cruz plated a run, before Madera knocked in another with a single. A single by Jones, and an error on a ball hit by Panza scored Madera and had two runners in scoring position, but the Westies fell just short.  

(July 16, 2018) - The West Haven Little League 12U All Star team saw its season come to a heartbreaking end last week with a 9-8 loss to Orange in the District 4 quarterfinals in Orange.
Despite an incredible comeback which saw the Westies fight back from a 6-0 deficit and ride the relief pitching of Chase Supan, the Westies were unable to close the deal.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, the Westies were within one strike of advancing several times, but each time, Orange battled and hung on, until a two-out, two-run walk-off double ended West Haven’s dreams of advancing.
Supan may have been the story of the game for West Haven as he entered in the second inning after Orange had batted around and scored six times. Supan recorded a strikeout to end the frame, then went on to allow just two baserunners through the fifth inning, and finished with six strikeouts.
Supan’s effort allowed the Westies to battle back as they got right back in the game with five runs in the third, evened the contest in the fifth, and took a two-run lead in the sixth.
In the third, Haygen Axelrod and Mike Madera opened with singles and both advanced on a grounder to second by Evan Jones. Will Panza followed with a single to score Jones and Madera, K.J. Harp walked, and Supan hit a two-out double to plate Panza and Harp. When Supan scored later in the inning on an error on a ball hit by Gabe Santarcangelo, West Haven was within one run.
The Westies had a golden opportunity to even the game in the fourth inning when Madera, Jones and Panza reached to load the bases with one out. Orange escaped without any damage, but was not as fortunate in the fifth as Jesse Buonocore ripped a long two-out homer to left to even the game at six.
With all the momentum on their side, the Westies took an 8-6 lead in the top of the sixth. Madera led off with a single to left, moved to second on a sacrifice by Jones, and scored on a double by Panza. With two outs, Ray Gilbert and Supan singled to score Panza for a two-run lead.
After Anthony Constantinople walked to load the bases, West Haven looked as if it would build on the lead, but Buonocore’s long fly ball to right was tracked down for the final out of the inning.
Panza led the Westies with four hits and two runs scored, while Madera and Jones each added a pair of hits and two runs scored. Supan added a pair of hits and scored once, while Axelrod singled, walked and scored.
The West Haven Little League 10U All Star team surprised a lot of teams in its tournament this past week. The team was led by the arms of Hudson Axelrod and Connor Hume, before losing a heartbreaking 8-7 game to a Max Sinoway team, who eventually played in the district championship game.
Timely hitting by Jeremiah Kavanah and Matt Suchy, mixed with solid defense from Colin Murray and Cam Lipford led West Haven into the cross-over tournament, before eventually getting eliminated via walk-off by a tough Max Sinoway team, which nearly went all the way. 

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West Haven Little League President Chris Jones (r.) speaks during Opening Day ceremonies, May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















​Gabe Santarcangelo pitches for the White Sox, May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















Jason Alling of the Brewers, May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















Evan Jones pitches for the Cubs, ​May 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















​White Sox against the A's in WHLL Majors action, May 12, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















Brewers against the Cubs in WHLL Majors action, May 12, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















Cam Cruz (2) of the Brewrs tags out a runner from the White Sox in WHLL Majors action, May 26, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















Thomas Porto (17) of the A's slides into third base against the Cubs in WHLL Majors action, May 26, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















The Brewers prevent a run against the White Sox in WHLL Majors action, May 26, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















The A's celebrate a walk-off win in WHLL Majors action, June 2, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















WHLL Majors action, June 2, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















WHLL Majors action, June 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















WHLL Majors action, June 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















WHLL Majors action, June 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















WHLL Majors action, June 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















WHLL Majors action, June 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.
















Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


WHLL Majors action, June 23, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















WHLL Majors action, June 23, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















WHLL Majors action, June 23, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















WHLL Majors action, June 23, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. 


















Will Panza (7) rounds second in WHLL 12 All-Stars action, July 1, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. ​​



















Chase Supan delivers in WHLL 12 All-Stars action, July 1, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera.


















​Chase Supan delivers a pitch for WHLL 12 All-Stars action against Orange, July 9, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. ​​


















​Will Panza makes the play for the WHLL 12 All-Stars action against Orange, July 9, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. ​​


















K.J. Harp scores for the WHLL 12 All-Stars action against Orange, July 9, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. ​​


















Mike Madera celebrates scoring the go-ahead run for the WHLL 12 All-Stars action against Orange, July 9, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. ​​


















WHLL 12 All-Stars action against Orange, July 9, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Madera. ​​