CMNLL All-Stars can make history with victory

The Costa Mesa National Little League All-Stars are looking to make history Monday.

The 11- and 12-year-olds are in the championship game of the District 62 All-Stars Majors Division Tournament at LeBard Park. A win against Ocean View Little League gives CMNLL its first district all-star tournament title.

Both Costa Mesa and Ocean View have dropped a game in the double-elimination tournament, making Monday’s 5:30 p.m. game the finale.

Costa Mesa advanced to the championship with a stunning 11-0 mercy-rule victory over Huntington Valley in four innings Wednesday. Ocean View, Huntington Valley and Costa Mesa were the favorites heading into the tournament.

Costa Mesa opened the tournament losing to Huntington Valley, 12-4. But it has elevated its game as of late, especially offensively.

Daniel Hernandez belted his first grand slam last week, giving Costa Mesa another big bat to go with Dante Capoccia, Matt Jarmacz and Jake Stone.

This is Costa Mesa’s second straight appearance in the title game. This year’s CMNLL players, Jarmacz, Capoccia, Stone, Ryan West and Levi Stillman, were on that team last year.

— From staff reports