Live Oak pitcher Eveya Martinez throws a pitch during the District 2 championship game versus Sutter Area LL on June 18.

ANDERSON, CA (MPG) - The Live Oak Little League 8-10 Softball team reached the finals of the 2024 California Shasta Section All-Star Tournament as they needed to win twice on Monday, July 1, for the opportunity to advance to the NorCal tournament.

Live Oak won their first-round matchup against Almanor LL easily in a 13-1 victory on Friday, June 28. LOLL was within one game of heading to the championship game, but they were beaten 3-1 by East Redding LL.

 Live Oak’s Madelyn McPherrin swings during their 4-1 win over Sutter Area LL on June 18 in the District 2 championship.

Live Oak head coach Mitchell Perigo expressed to the Herald that they came up short in the game as they made some errors and gave up some early runs where they were unable to recover from.

LOLL played in an elimination game on Sunday, June 30, where they played Chico LL.

Perigo told the Herald that it was key for them to take every advantage possible on the basepaths.

Live Oak instantly put the pressure on Chico as they took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Throughout the game it was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, but Chico was able to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning at two.

As they went into extra innings, LOLL was able to add a couple of runs in the top of the eighth inning for a 4-2 lead. 

Chico added a run to close the lead, but Live Oak was able to hold with their defense and pitching to get a rematch against East Redding.

LOLL had to beat East Redding twice to advance to the NorCal tournament which would begin tomorrow, July 6, in the Oakland Area.

Regardless of the outcome, Perigo told the Herald he was proud of how much this team had accomplished.

 Live Oak’s Riley Perigo freezes in the middle of the basepath during a 4-1 victory against Sutter Area LL in the District 2 championship on June 18.