SYA West Now Undefeated District 10 Little League Champs

The West 9/10 Little League All Stars battled to win the District 10 Title and will now go on to compete for the Virginia State Championship in Ashburn.

The team remained undefeated through the District 10 tournament, beating teams from Chantilly National, SYA Central, Fairfax National, Manassas Park Yorkshire, and reigning champion Chantilly American. The team completed their historic run by beating Chantilly National a second time in the District 10 Championship Game by a score of 11-1. Throughout the tournament, SYA West outscored their opponents 71-22 and finished with a perfect 7-0 record. 

The team doesn’t have far to travel since the 2012 Virginia State Tournament is hosted by District 16, Dulles Little League, at . There, the team will compete against 15 other Virginia teams for the State Title. 

Opening Ceremonies are on July 19, with SYA scheduled to play Friday, July 20 against Cave Spring National (District 12) at 3:15 p.m.; July 21 against the winner of District 6 at 9:15 a.m.; and July 22 at 3:15 p.m. against York County National (District 7). 

The team, comprised of boys aged 9 to 10 from the Centreville area, is coached by John Leo, Seth Blee and Mark Mackmin. 

“There’s a sense of confidence amongst these boys now that I have never seen in players so young," said Leo. "And I believe we haven’t played our best baseball yet. The boys are not only feeding off each other but the great support group we have. This has been a real community event.”

The team hopes to continue their run to the single elimination tournament all the way to the Virginia State Championship Game on July 25 at 5:45 p.m.

—Information submitted by the Southwestern Youth Association