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- Updated: August 12, 2026
SWEETWATER VALLEY FOLLOWING THE WIN ON TUESDAY. / STEVE WOOD
2026 LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
SWEETWATER VALLEY IN WEST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER RAMIREZ AGUIRRE SHUTOUT
Sweetwater Valley 6, Kawaihau 0
By Ramon Scott
SAN BERNARDINO — Sweetwater Valley Little League reached the doorstep of Williamsport behind an offense that had spent the summer overwhelming opponents.
Isaac Ramirez Aguirre carried Southern California the rest of the way Tuesday night.
Ramirez Aguirre threw a complete-game one-hitter, Sweetwater Valley played errorless defense behind him and the Bonita-based club shut out Kawaihau Community Little League of Hawaii, 6-0, in the West Region winners’ bracket game at Al Houghton Stadium.
Sweetwater Valley advances directly to Friday night’s regional championship, where one more victory would secure the league’s first trip to the Little League Baseball World Series since 2015.
Southern California will face the winner of Wednesday’s elimination rematch between Hawaii and Chandler National Little League of Arizona.
Sweetwater Valley is 2-0 in San Bernardino and has outscored Northern California and Hawaii by a combined 22-4. Its opening 16-4 victory over San Ramon Valley established the lineup’s explosive potential.
Tuesday revealed another dimension.
Ramirez Aguirre retired Hawaii in order in the first inning, protected a one-run advantage through the middle portion of the game and finished the shutout with a called third strike.
The right-hander allowed only one hit, a single by Daeshaan Kuhaulua, and prevented a Kawaihau lineup that scored seven runs against nationally top-ranked Chandler from creating any sustained pressure.
Southern California did not need another 16-run performance.
One run was enough until the offense created separation.
SWEETWATER SCORES FIRST
Sweetwater Valley loaded the bases with nobody out in the second inning, but Hawaii nearly escaped without allowing a run.
Colton DeMilly entered on the mound and responded with consecutive strikeouts, turning a potentially damaging inning into a two-out test for Southern California.
Sweetwater remained patient.
Asher Giglio drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing home Ramirez Aguirre with the opening run.
Hawaii limited Sweetwater Valley to one run in the inning, but Ramirez Aguirre ensured the missed opportunity did not become costly.
Kawaihau starter Rush Pegeder allowed one hit and one run over the first inning, striking out two and walking three.
RAMIREZ AGUIRRE TAKES OVER
The 1-0 lead remained intact because Hawaii could not solve Sweetwater’s starter.
Ramirez Aguirre attacked above the hitting zone when ahead in counts and generated several late swings beneath elevated fastballs. He recorded consecutive strikeouts during one sequence and consistently avoided the walks that might have allowed Kawaihau to build an inning without multiple hits.
Hawaii put other balls in play, but Southern California converted them into outs.
The infield handled its responsibilities cleanly, with Jesus Cuadra recording a team-high six defensive putouts at first base. Sweetwater Valley did not commit an error.
That combination—Ramirez Aguirre filling the strike zone and the defense completing routine plays—left Hawaii without a pathway back into the game.
The performance also changed the developing evaluation of Sweetwater Valley.
Noah Kirk arrived at the regional as Southern California’s most established pitcher. The right-hander worked five innings and drove in four runs during the opening victory over San Ramon Valley.
Ramirez Aguirre’s response against Hawaii demonstrated that Sweetwater’s pursuit does not rest upon Kirk alone.
The second frontline performance in as many games gives Southern California a deeper foundation than the offense initially suggested.
SVLL OFFENSE HITTING .373 THIS WEEK
Sweetwater Valley eventually expanded the lead behind the middle of its lineup.
Kirk drove a pitch toward straightaway center field and off the wall for a one-out double. Southern California continued applying pressure before a looping ball fell in center and brought home another run as the lead grew to 5-0.
Sweetwater finished with 10 hits.
Ramirez Aguirre, Leo Gonzalez and Kirk collected two hits apiece. Giglio drove in two runs, while the lineup continued forcing Hawaii to pitch with runners aboard.
The offense did not produce the six-run innings that buried San Ramon Valley in the opener. It did not need them.
Sweetwater Valley scored gradually, defended the lead and allowed Ramirez Aguirre to control the evening.
The final strike completed Southern California’s first regional shutout and sent the Sweetwater players onto the field to celebrate a place in Friday’s championship.
DISTRICT 42 RETURNS TO THE DOORSTEP
Sweetwater Valley’s run carries significance throughout San Diego’s South County baseball community.
District 42 has produced some of the most memorable Little League teams in San Diego history.
Park View Little League won the 2009 Little League World Series. Eastlake Little League reached the international championship game in 2013. Sweetwater Valley advanced to Williamsport in 2015 and finished third in the United States bracket. Park View returned to Williamsport in 2016.
No District 42 league has reached the Little League Baseball World Series since.
Sweetwater Valley came close in 2019 before its run ended at the West Region. Seven years later, the league is back in the same stadium and one victory from finishing the trip.
The support extends beyond the players and families in San Bernardino.
Younger Sweetwater Valley players and supporters from other District 42 leagues gathered in the South Bay to watch Tuesday’s game together. The regional run has become a shared event for a baseball community accustomed to following its teams deep into the summer.
This Sweetwater group has given that community a compelling team to follow.
Southern California lost only once before arriving in San Bernardino. Sweetwater then overcame an early deficit to defeat San Ramon Valley and followed with its most complete pitching performance against Hawaii.
The lineup has power and depth. The defense has remained dependable. Kirk and Ramirez Aguirre have now provided consecutive strong starts.
Most importantly, Sweetwater Valley has demonstrated that it can win different kinds of games.
Its opener became a 16-run offensive showcase. Tuesday became a pitching-and-defense victory in which a 1-0 lead held until the bats added insurance.
That versatility matters in a winner-take-all championship.
FRIDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Sweetwater Valley receives two days away from competition before playing for the West Region title Friday at 6 p.m.
Hawaii and Arizona meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. in an elimination game on ESPN2.
Either result will produce a rematch.
Kawaihau stunned Chandler 7-3 in the opening round by scoring six runs in the sixth inning. Hawaii then encountered Ramirez Aguirre and was held to one hit Tuesday.
Chandler survived its first elimination game by defeating San Ramon Valley 7-5. Arizona entered the regional ranked No. 1 nationally after scoring 125 runs and allowing only 11 during an undefeated state run, but its first two games in San Bernardino exposed pitching and defensive concerns.
A Hawaii victory would give Kawaihau another opportunity to solve Sweetwater’s pitching. An Arizona victory would create the championship matchup many expected before the tournament began.
Sweetwater Valley does not need to choose.
Southern California can rest, evaluate its pitching availability and watch both potential opponents expend another arm in an elimination game.
Ramirez Aguirre’s availability Friday will be determined by his official pitch total (82) and Little League’s mandatory-rest requirements. Sweetwater’s staff must organize the remaining eligible pitching for one game that could extend the league’s season to Williamsport.
Arizona champion Chandler National has a pitcher in Mason Mueller who can dominate with a fastball that reaches 80-plus miles per hour. He would be available to pitch on Friday should Chandler beat Kawaihau on Wednesday, but the rest of the staff has looked vulnerable.
Hawaii has a solid team ERA of 2.72 in two games at the tournament. Arizona has a team ERA of 4.50.
The Southern California champions enter that game having established themselves as the West Region’s most complete team through the first two rounds.
Sweetwater Valley has scored 22 runs, collected 21 hits, received two strong starts and committed no errors against Hawaii.
The lineup that arrived with enormous expectations is now exactly one victory from fulfilling them.
WEST REGION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 12 — 6 p.m.
Chandler National Little League, Arizona, vs. Kawaihau Community Little League, Hawaii
Elimination game, ESPN2
Friday, August 14 — 6 p.m.
Sweetwater Valley Little League, Southern California, vs. Arizona–Hawaii winner
West Region championship
The championship winner advances to the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
