The South Range VFW, the only undefeated team in Portage Lake Little League Majors play this season, won the championship Saturday at the South Range VFW Fields. The team includes Owen Asiala, Cal Johnson, Bennett Larson, Ryer Helminen, Isaac Kilpela, Jackson. Holombo, Kendrick Kilpela, Leeland Roberts, Lander Kilpela and coach Kurt Larson. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

SOUTH RANGE — The only undefeated team in Portage Lake Little League Majors found themselves in a knockdown, drag out fight to the end, needing extra innings to solve everything as South Range VFW held off Pepsi of Houghton, 3-2, Saturday in the championship game at the South Range VFW Fields.

South Range had never trailed this season, but being in a 2-2 tie in the late stages of the game had them as tested as they could possibly be.

“Well, that was a fun, fun championship game,” said South Range coach Kurt Larson. “Fun to win a tight one. That was their closest game of the year. So, fun to win a tight one.”

Larson admitted he was not quite sure how his team would respond after Pepsi scored twice in the fourth inning to even the game.

“They just stay positive,” he said. “They want to stay positive all year. I don’t know that we played from behind once this whole year. So, it’s good to stick with it when there’s a 2-2 game in the seventh inning.”

If there was a single hero for South Range, it was pitcher Cal Johnson. He threw 68 pitches, striking out 16 batters. And if that wasn’t enough, he got on base three out of four times, including the game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh with Owen Asiala just 60 feet from home plate.

“He pitched a complete game in seven innings, and (did) not even hit his pitch count,” said Kurt Larson. “That’s pretty impressive. I think I had him at 68 pitches through seven innings, which is pretty awesome.

“He just throws strikes. He knows who he has to throw strikes to. You just get it over the plate, and not waste pitches on balls. That’s why it’s so important to throw strikes when you have to, so you don’t hit your pitch count.”

Asiala got to third after drawing a walk, and then, while attempting to steal second, Pepsi throw the ball away, which allowed him to get to third, setting up the winning run.

However, in the fourth inning, Pepsi stunned South Range with a huge inning. It started with a Fred Johnson single to lead off. He came around to score on a defensive error shortly after. Three batters later, Oliver Pennala singled to third. Maxx LaBeske followed with a single on a ground ball to right field. Pennala ran home and scored on a defensive error, tying the game.

“They did amazing,” said Pepsi coach Dan LaBeske. “We didn’t expect to get this far, and we had some highs and lows through the game. Everyone was up down on their spirits, but they hung in there. They made good plays. And hey, a game like this is won or lost on errors.

“That one error cost us the game. But, they fought hard for it. They did amazing, these kids so far this year, we came into the playoffs on a seven loss, five win record, and we beat everything until now.”

Pepsi starting pitcher Holden Aho struggled through the first inning, and South Range took advantage.

Asiala walked to lead off. Cal Johnson hit into a fielder’s choice and reached, but Asiala was tagged at second. Bennett Larson then singled, scoring Johnson. Larson then stole second. Ryer Helminen singled to right field, scoring Larson.

For the second inning, Pepsi turned to relief pitcher Lane Johnson, Cal’s brother, who nearly completely shut down South Range. He went three innings giving up a walk to Lander Kilpela, a fielder’s choice play to Asiala, and a single to his brother, but that was it. He struck out five over those three innings.

Pennala finished the game on the mound for Pepsi. He had five strikeouts in three innings of work.

Kurt Larson didn’t get the same contribution from the bottom half of the lineup that he got Thursday in their semifinal win, but he was still proud of everything his team accomplished throughout the season.

“It’s just been a great year,” he said. “I told them I’ve been coaching for eight years and this has been, top to bottom, the best team I’ve ever had, because they all contribute.”

Pepsi of Houghton second baseman Lane Johnson awaits a throw from shortstop Maxx LaBeske (4) in order to attempt a double play during the championship game of Portage Lake Little League Majors against South Range VFW Saturday at the South Range VFW Fields. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)