W. Boynton Beach All-Stars reach state title game

Only one victory separates the West Boynton Beach Little League Baseball Major Division AllStars from a state championship in St. Cloud.

The 11 and 12 year olds fromDistrict 7/Palm Beach County defeated South FortMyers, 3-0, in a Pool B showdown of undefeated squads on Saturday night. It capped a three-game sweep through pool play for West Boynton (8-0 overall).

The win advances the boys from Quad Field in Boynton Beach into the Florida title game at 10 a.m. today againstNiceville-Valparaiso, the Pool A winners.

The state champion advances to the U.S. Southeast Regional Tournament in Warner Robins, Ga. starting Aug. 4. The top team there earns a trip to Williamsport, Pa., for the Little LeagueWorld Series.

Nik Cesarz and Javy Soto combined to no-hit South Fort Myers, which also came into the contest withouta loss atanylevel of the All-Star competition. Cesarz went five innings, and Soto sealed the deal in the sixth.

Tristan Rucker supplied all the scoring West Boynton would need with a three-run double in the third inning.

The West Boynton youths have had to battle through rain as well as their opponents in St. Cloud. They played late into the night on Friday against Deltona before winning9-2, andwere right back at it Saturday morning but persevered with a 7-4 decision over Oviedo.

Ayden Gurevich and Ryan Shiflet each hit threerun home runs in the Friday night encounter with Deltona.

Niceville-Valparaiso also remained undefeated on the All-Star tournament trail after knocking off Tampa Bayshore, Plant City and Coconut Creek.

The going was tough for Coconut Creek at states. South Florida’s other Little League Baseball All-Star representative in St. Cloud suffered back-to-back shutouts as part of an 0-3 showinginPoolAandwere eliminated.

The team from Sabal Pines Park lost to Tampa Bayshore, 11-0; NicevilleValparaiso, 10-0; and Plant City 11-4.