Ramirez, SVLL move to 2-0 at SoCal tourney

By Ramon Scott
Updated: July 26, 2026

2026 LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

Kirk leads off with homer as Sweetwater Valley shuts out Goleta, 6-0

Ramirez, Gonzales combine on three-hitter as SVLL advances to winner’s bracket semifinal against Encino

By Ramon Scott | EastCountySports.com

ALISO VIEJO — Sweetwater Valley followed Noah Kirk’s opening-round masterpiece with another shutout Sunday, this time receiving a dominant start and late two-way production from Isaac Ramirez.

Ramirez pitched 5⅓ scoreless innings and doubled home two runs during a four-run sixth as Sweetwater Valley defeated previously unbeaten Goleta Valley South, 6-0, in the Southern California Little League State Tournament at Woodfield Park.

Leo Gonzales recorded the final two outs to complete the combined three-hit shutout, sending Sweetwater Valley into Tuesday’s winner’s-bracket semifinal against Encino.

Kirk gave SVLL an immediate lead by driving a 1-1 pitch over the center-field fence to open the game. After striking out 12 in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over defending Southern California champion Golden Hill, Kirk needed only three pitches Sunday to make another significant contribution.

Grant Mielke doubled the lead in the fourth when he attacked the first pitch and homered to right field.

The two solo home runs supplied enough support for Ramirez, who allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six. Goleta Valley South did not score against Ramirez after entering the tournament with a 6-0 postseason record and a 39-5 scoring advantage.

Sweetwater Valley removed any remaining doubt with four runs in the sixth.

Ramirez helped his own cause with a two-run double, and Sebastian Pino followed with another two-run double to extend the lead to 6-0.

Ramirez, Gonzales, James Griffin, Pino, Kirk, Templeton Tran and Mielke each collected one hit. Ramirez and Pino drove home two runs apiece, while Kirk and Mielke supplied the home runs.

Benn Hause started for Goleta and allowed two runs on three hits over 3⅓ innings. He struck out two and walked three. Hause and Dylan Corlett were among Goleta’s three hitters.

Tournament impact

Sweetwater Valley has moved through two of the tournament’s strongest opponents without allowing a run.

Kirk struck out 12 without a walk in Saturday’s five-hit shutout of Golden Hill. Ramirez followed by limiting Goleta to three hits across 5⅓ scoreless innings before Gonzales closed the victory.

Through two state tournament games, Sweetwater Valley’s pitching staff has worked 12 scoreless innings, allowed eight hits, struck out 18 and issued only one walk.

The offense has not needed the overwhelming run totals it produced during sectionals, but it has supplied increasingly diverse contributions. Kirk and Mielke produced power Sunday, Ramirez and Pino delivered the late extra-base hits, and seven different players collected a hit.

Kirk continues to build one of the tournament’s most complete individual performances. His pitching carried Sweetwater Valley through the opening round, and his leadoff home run immediately placed Goleta behind Sunday.

Ramirez’s performance may be equally important to Sweetwater Valley’s championship outlook. He demonstrated that the Section 7 champions possess more than one pitcher capable of controlling an elite opponent, then helped break open the game offensively.

Sweetwater Valley has now outscored Golden Hill and Goleta Valley South 8-0. More importantly, it has defeated the defending Southern California champion and an unbeaten opponent with championship-level pitching on consecutive days.

Goleta suffered its first postseason loss after beginning districts and sectionals 6-0. Its pitching kept the game within two runs through five innings, but Sweetwater Valley’s sixth-inning surge created a final margin that did not reflect how competitive the game remained for most of the afternoon.

Looking ahead

Sweetwater Valley receives Monday off before facing Encino in Tuesday’s winner’s bracket semifinal at 6:30 p.m.

Encino survived Vineyard 4-3 in its opener and entered the tournament with one of Southern California’s most powerful lineups, led by Asher Sonnier, Liam Martinez and Matt Lazo. The matchup will test Sweetwater Valley’s pitching depth against a team built to change games with one swing.

The winner will advance to Thursday’s winner’s-bracket final and move within one victory of the championship series in San Bernardino.

Goleta Valley South moves into the elimination bracket and will face Vineyard on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Vineyard eliminated pre-tournament favorite Eastvale 6-5 on Sunday behind Wyatt McAninch’s grand slam.

Goleta still possesses the pitching required to make an elimination-bracket run, but it must quickly generate more offense against a Vineyard team that has scored in both of its state tournament games.