Nogales Little League Intermediate World Series Champions Return Home to Hero’s Welcome

Picture Courtesy of Luis Denogean

By Francisco Romero

A Nogales, Arizona team, representing the West in the United States Bracket, dominated the Little League Intermediate World Series by beating Puerto Rico and taking home the championship trophy.

The tournament was played at Max Baer Park in Livermore, California.

Once home, they were welcomed with a parade through the border City of Nogales, Arizona.

The Intermediate division of Little League it’s in its second year of existence.

Nogales, representing the United States beat Puerto Rico by a score of 11-4 Monday afternoon.  The game was televised live on ESPN 2. 

Nogales came from behind to win the game as they were losing by a score of 3-1.  In the Third inning Dustin Bermudez hit a home run to give Nogales a 4-3 lead, a lead they never relinquished.

German Fajardo pitched a complete game (7 innings) for Nogales to earn the victory.  He gave up nine hits and three earned runs.

Throughout the parade, members of the championship team rode atop a fire truck showing off their championship banner.  The parade ended at the baseball field at Fleischer Park, where the team has played many games. 

Cars honked their horns, kids and adults alike cheered with excitement and family and friends embraced the newly crowned champions. 

The Nogales team went through the tournament undefeated as they won 13 games in a row.

The Intermediate Little League World series was made up of 11 teams including teams from Curacao, South Korea, Czech Republic and British Columbia.

During the past few weeks the community of Nogales, Arizona has rallied behind the team. 

The parade, Tuesday night, was the culmination of hard work and dedication, not only from the players, but friends and family who supported their trek through the whole tournament.