Simi Valley, California flipped the script from their opening game and eliminated Host, Washington County, with a run rule, 12-2, victory Wednesday afternoon at Lew Hays PONY Field. The game, scheduled for Tuesday, was picked up after rain delayed the game in the 1st inning. Washington County opened the game with a run on back-to-back errors by Simi Valley, scoring Connor Helbling, who led off with a single. Simi Valley took control of the game in the bottom of the first. Four straight hits scored 5 runs. Luke Gill capped of the hit parade with a two RBI double to right center, just before rain storms pushed the remainder of the game to Wednesday. Simi Valley added one in the second, three in the third and finished off the run rule win with 3 runs in the sixth. Austin Neff doubled in two runs in the final inning and went 2 for 2 at the plate. Ethan Pena knocked three singles in his four trips to the plate. Owen Muench got the win for Simi Valley. He went 4.2 innings, allowed 1 run on 3 hits and struck out 4. Tyler Johnson collected two hits in three at bats to lead Washington County in the box. Washington used 7 pitchers and Connor Helbling got the loss in 0.2 innings pitched.
Tyler Johnson received the Voytek Award, given annually to the Hosts’ leading hitter. Johnson, batting in the 8/9 slot in the order the entire tournament, was 5-for-10 (.500) with five singles, three RBI and five runs scored.