The District 65 Little Leaguers (ages 11 and 12) took the championship with a 5-0 record, defeating Santa Maria Northside a whopping 15 to 2 in the championship game. This is the first district championship since 1998.
Not wanting to stop there, the team went on to win the Section One Tournament in Santa Paula, taking the title there as well. The Southside’s run came to an end at the Sub-Divisional Tournament in Long Beach; the team finished its championship run with an 11-2 record.
Because the team advanced farther than any other local team in the last 10 years, Southside Little League was awarded a proclamation from Santa Barbara County Aug. 24. Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino presented the award.
Southside superstar Jayden Lyburtus won the national title for his age group at the annual Pitch, Hit, and Run competition held during the MLB All-Star break in July.
This article appears in Sep 5-12, 2013.