Ruiz Delivers Championship Winning Hit as Birmingham Denies El Camino To Claim Open Division Title, 4-2

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Henry Barrial

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CHAVEZ RAVINE – Under the afternoon sun at Dodger Stadium, the Birmingham Patriots outlasted the El Camino Real Royals 4-2 in a nail-biting chess match to capture the Open Division championship. The all-West Valley League finale lived up to its billing in every way.

Despite Birmingham’s 2-1 season series advantage, including two blowout wins by a combined 19-3 margin, none of that history mattered on this hallowed field. “It’s a game of inches,” El Camino Real head coach Josh Leinhard observed, words that perfectly captured the day’s drama.

A baseball player in a blue jersey with the number 13 is running towards home plate at Dodger Stadium, while the catcher prepares to receive him. An umpire watches the play closely.
all photos by David Martinez

The Royals drew first blood in the opening frame against Birmingham starter Nathan Soto. After Jackson Sellz worked a walk, JJ Saffie followed with a single. Patriots shortstop Julius “JuJu” Monroe-Truitt ranged deep into the 5-6 hole to erase Sellz. But Ryan Glassman followed with a slow grounder to third. Sebastian Valadez made a clean bare-handed pickup, but his throw sailed wide of first. Saffie scored, giving El Camino a 1-0 advantage.

Birmingham answered immediately in the bottom half. Royals starter Hudson December surrendered a leadoff single to Monroe-Truitt, and after Larkin Fleming moved him over with a groundout, Aidan Martinez lined a sharp single to left to tie the game at 1-1.

A group of baseball players celebrating enthusiastically on the field, with one player leaping into the air. The players are wearing matching blue jerseys and white pants, while fans in the background cheer from the stands.

With two outs, Ryan Hauptman stunned Birmingham by beating out a bunt single in the top of the 2nd. Shane Bogacz then scorched a liner down the first-base line that appeared destined for extra bases before ricocheting perfectly off the wall to Ethan Dalumpines. The relay throw caught Hauptman flat-footed as he strayed too far around third. A game of inches indeed. Instead of first-and-third with two outs, the inning was suddenly over.

A baseball player in a black jersey and blue cap running towards first base on a sunny day at a stadium.
A baseball player slides into home plate as another player prepares to tag him during a game at Dodger Stadium.

The score remained tied into the fifth as both Soto and December repeatedly worked out of jams. Every inning felt one mistake away from swinging the championship and both coaching staffs worked to gain any edge. Birmingham constantly utilized pinch-runners, which would come into play later, while Leinhard respectfully challenged every close call.

December returned for a pivotal bottom of the fifth and carefully worked around Martinez, who hit a warning-track blast in his previous at-bat. Valadez singled and Toni Mendoza walked to load the bases with one out. Jordan Lindsay then lined a sinking shot to the right fielder, but pinch-runner Jonathan Vizcarra held at third instead of tagging up. December appeared poised to escape unscathed once again.

A young baseball player swinging a bat in a stadium, with spectators in the background.
A group of baseball players celebrating a home run on the field, with some players running towards the dugout while others cheer enthusiastically. The stadium is filled with fans in the background.
Two young baseball players on the field at Dodger Stadium, one on base and the other playing defense.

Enter Masen Ruiz. The transfer stepped into the box for just his 12th plate appearance all season. His entry came under unique circumstances, as Patriots co-head coach Matt Rico explained: “We ran for Ethan Dalumpines twice, so (by rule) he was out of the game. That was a pretty hard decision, but honestly, given how these boys worked all year, we have confidence in everybody.”

That confidence paid off. Ruiz ripped a clutch line drive just inches over Glassman’s glove in right field. The ball skipped to the wall as all three runners scored. In one swing, Birmingham transformed a deadlocked game into a seemingly insurmountable 4-1 lead. “That kid’s been an amazing athlete his whole life,” Birmingham co-head coach Matt Mowry said. “People look at him and they don’t think much. But that ball was well struck.”

A baseball player in a navy blue uniform with 'MARTINEZ' and the number 30 on the back is pitching from the mound at a stadium.

Soto returned for the sixth inning and immediately surrendered a single to Glassman before plunking Blake Dubin. With the tying run coming to the plate, Birmingham summoned Martinez. He had done it for them all year long and, even though he gave up a run in the 7th, Martinez secured the last six outs, four via strike out, to bring Birmingham a city championship.

A young baseball pitcher in a black jersey with blue accents throws a pitch on the mound, while a teammate stands in the background wearing a similar uniform.

December on the key pitch to Ruiz, “I threw a fastball that leaked a little too far over the plate. He got more barrel than I wanted to.” Unable to repeat as champs, Leinhard was still proud of his team’s effort: “Both teams fought. Got out of jams. We were sitting 1-1 in the fifth and they capitalized. Game of inches. An inch from catching it. And an inch from clearing the bases.”

A young baseball pitcher on the mound preparing to throw a pitch during a game at a stadium, with empty bleachers in the background.

Soto talked about pitching at Dodger stadium, “There are no words for it. Not being able to sleep the last two nights. Waking up two hours early today. I just put it all out on the field and got the result I wanted.”

Birmingham finished 27-4, including 14 straight wins, to secure, their first championship since ’23 and their fourth since 2018. With Soto, Acuña, and their battery mate Lindsay all returning next season the future looks bright for the Patriots.

Three individuals celebrating a championship win, holding a trophy and an award plaque, at a baseball field.

The victory also underscored the dominance of the West Valley League, which placed three of the 4 teams at Dodger Stadium for the City championships, while the fourth representative (and D1 winner) Verdugo Hills hails from the Valley Mission League, proving San Fernando Valley baseball rules Los Angeles, at least for the 2026 season.

A young baseball pitcher wearing a navy jersey with a letter 'B' prepares to throw a pitch on a baseball field, with empty grandstands and a Budweiser sign in the background.
A baseball player in a dark blue uniform prepares to pitch on the mound in an empty stadium with a scoreboard in the background.
A baseball player stands in a batting stance at Dodger Stadium, ready to hit the ball, with players sitting on the bench in the background.
A baseball player in a black jersey prepares to swing at a pitch while a catcher in red and gray gear crouches behind home plate. In the background, a group of players in blue jerseys watches from the dugout.
A young baseball player in a black jersey swings a bat at home plate, while a catcher in gear prepares to receive the pitch. In the background, a group of players and spectators watch the game.
A baseball player swings at a pitch while the catcher prepares to receive the ball, with a crowd in the background at Dodger Stadium.
A baseball pitcher in a blue and white uniform, number 30, throwing a pitch on the mound at a stadium with empty bleachers and a Budweiser sign in the background.
A baseball pitcher in mid-throw on the mound, wearing a blue jersey and white pants, with a stadium backdrop featuring empty bleachers and a large sign overhead.
A baseball player in a navy jersey and white pants celebrating on the field with a bright, sunny backdrop and empty stadium seats in the background.
A baseball pitcher in a dark blue jersey with the number 30 throws a pitch on a mound, while another player in a white jersey with the number 66 prepares in the field. The background features empty stadium seats.
A baseball player at bat during a game, swinging a bat with a focused expression, while other players and spectators are visible in the background at a stadium.
A baseball player swings at a pitch during a game, with a crowd of spectators in the background.
A group of young baseball players celebrating their championship win, posing together with a trophy and medals, showing excitement and team spirit.
A man in a baseball cap and jersey lovingly embraces a trophy while standing on a baseball field.
A group of baseball players celebrating a victory by piling on top of each other, with joy and excitement visible.
A baseball player celebrating on the field with arms raised, while another player cheers in the background.
A young baseball player in a black jersey and blue helmet celebrates passionately on the field, exclaiming with excitement after a play. The stadium background features empty bleachers and various sponsor advertisements.
Three baseball players on a field, one celebrating a hit while the others stand on base and in the dugout.
A baseball player wearing a black jersey with 'Royals' written on it stands on a base, raising his hand in celebration. Another player in a blue jersey with the number '44' stands nearby, looking towards the player on the base.
A baseball player sliding into second base while another player stands nearby, with stadium seats in the background.
A baseball player in a navy blue uniform throws a baseball while standing on a field with empty bleachers in the background.
A young baseball pitcher in a navy uniform throws a baseball from the pitcher's mound at a stadium, with a large Budweiser sign in the background.
Two young baseball players walking on the field at a stadium, one wears a catcher's gear and the other in a black jersey with 'Royals' written on it.
A young baseball player in a navy and white uniform throws a baseball while running on the field, with empty stadium seats in the background.
A baseball player slides into home plate as the catcher attempts to tag him out during a game.
A baseball player in a blue jersey with the number 82 running towards home plate, while another player in black with the number 16 stands at first base. The scene takes place in a baseball stadium with empty seats in the background.
A young baseball player at Dodger Stadium prepares to bat, with a catcher positioned ready to receive the pitch. Spectators are visible in the background.
Baseball players in action on the field, with one player throwing a ball to another while a third player prepares to catch it. An umpire is visible in the background.
A baseball player wearing jersey number 9 rounds the bases at Dodger Stadium, with teammates in the dugout and spectators in the stands.
Two young baseball players celebrating at Dodger Stadium. One player wearing jersey number 16 is high-fiving the other player in jersey number 13. An umpire stands nearby, observing the play.
A baseball player, wearing a blue helmet and jersey with 'Royals' printed on it, runs towards home plate at Dodger Stadium, while a catcher in dark gear prepares to receive the ball.
A baseball pitcher in a black jersey with blue accents is in the windup position on the mound at a baseball stadium, preparing to throw a pitch.
A baseball pitcher wearing a black jersey with the number 25 is in the windup position on the mound at a stadium. The background features empty stands and various sponsor signs.
A baseball player swings a bat while a catcher prepares to receive a pitch during a game at a stadium, with an audience in the background.
A baseball player wearing a black jersey with 'Royals' written on it and number 22 celebrates with teammates after scoring.
A baseball player in a black jersey with 'Royals' printed on it, wearing number 22, celebrating a run during a game at the Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium, while fans and teammates cheer in the background.
A baseball player swings a bat during a game at Dodger Stadium, with a catcher in position and spectators in the background.
A baseball player in a dark uniform with the number 26 is running toward home plate in a stadium, while fans cheer in the background.
A baseball player in a dark jersey bats at Dodger Stadium, with a crowd of spectators in the background.

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