OC Dodgers Named Cecil Fielder Elite World Series 8-and-Under Champions

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The OC Dodgers Elite 8U travel team was named the Cecil Fielder World Series 8-and-under champions this past week.  The 16-team, four-day tournament took place at Kennedy Memorial Park Field in Yuma, Arizona, and attracted an international field of the top teams from across the United States and Mexico.  The best of the best were there to win the title.

(Photo:   http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110622/LA24237)

The OC Dodgers brought 14 of California's top players and went a perfect 8-0 to eventually win the World Series 7-1.  Setting the bar high in Game 1, OC Dodgers' Nick Ochoa hit a towering grand slam over the center field fence, and in the series' final game Dante Jackson kept the momentum going with his remarkable pitching to assure the 7-1 World Series victory. The OC Dodgers defeated the Tijuana Stars, a team that had to beat some of the best teams, such as the Atlanta Angels and Oakley Stingrays, to make it to the final game.  The OC Dodgers team did not take the easy road in order to make it to the final game either though.  The team came from behind to conquer the top So Cal Outlaw team to make the final game.  The OC Dodgers' coaches truly selected some of the best 8-and-under players in the country and it was seen throughout the series.

"I'm so proud of my players and coaching staff.  We played the most elite teams in the country and came out on top.  It doesn't get any better than that!  These kids will be playing in high school and beyond and that's the way I run our program – with passion and at the highest level," said Mike Torres, general manager of the OC Dodgers.  "I always get asked why I donate so much time to the kids and baseball.  Well, seeing the smile on a player like Mason Ressler after he scored an RBI in the big game is why.  I coach kids that want it and go after it!  There's nothing better than seeing the excitement in my players."

The World Series winning team consists of: Matt Diaz, Michael Flores, Marky Gutierrez, Dante Jackson, Kaden Moeller, Nick Ochoa, Cade O'Hara, Brandon Parra, Aaron Pulido, Mason Ressler, Daniel Rodriguez, Noah Rodriguez, Eric Silva, and Parker Welch.  The team is coached by Mike Torres, Bryant O'Hara, Tony Silva, Gil Rodriguez, Eric Welch, Steve Moeller, and "Pops" Rodriguez.  

Assistant coach Bryant O'Hara said, "I saw these kids all grow so much during this championship run.  We all felt unstoppable.  Teamwork means everything to me and that's what led us to victory.  Seeing these boys play, you would think they are much older.  Every player is extremely talented and fantastic to watch."