In storybook fashion, the Lifetime Hoan A's avenged their only defeat of the season and captured the fifth and sixth-grade Little League championship on Saturday, June 19, defeating the Cafe Dolce Vita Brewers by a score of 6-3.

The title game was an exciting and extremely competitive affair that saw the two teams with the best regular season records face each other. As a result, it was a low-scoring and extremely well-played game with great pitching and top-notch defense.

The A's Alex Siegel, who completed his all-star season undefeated at 9-0, pitched an absolute gem of a game, limiting the powerful Brewers' bats to just four hits while pitching a complete game.

Josh Friedman was the hitting star for the A's, uncorking a clutch triple with the bases loaded in the third inning to give the A's the lead for good. This hit was memorable not only for giving the A's the lead, but also for the length of the at-bat. Friedman was at the plate for what seemed an eternity, fouling off 10 pitches before unloading on the pitch that broke open a 1-1 tie. It was a tense at-bat for both teams which ultimately led A's fans to leap from their seats with joy. Friedman followed his triple with an exciting steal of home to give the A's a commanding 5-1 lead.

Brewers ace Jon Ross, who came into this game undefeated as well, showed why he was one of the top pitchers in the league all year. He only allowed five hits, and if it wasn't for Friedman's big triple, the game might have gone to extra innings.

The Brewers opened the scoring in the top of the first as Siegel started out a little shaky, hitting Ian Greenberg to open the game and then allowing a base hit by Chad Lackow. Evan Blidner then hit a hard grounder back to the box and Siegel tried to get the force at third, but the speedy Greenberg slid under the tag. Suddenly, the Brewers had the bases loaded with nobody out.

Cleanup hitter Ross then smashed a towering drive to left center that was caught on a beautiful play by Jordan Weisen. Greenberg scored on the sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. On the next play, Alex Fasano grounded out to third and, after the throw, Lackow attempted to score, but was cut down as the A's Sean Tolkin and Brandon Cohen executed a perfect rundown play.

The A's, who felt fortunate to escape the bases-loaded jam down by only one, immediately evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first. Weisen walked, stole second and scored on Friedman's first hit of the game, a sharp single to right center.

After their big third inning gave them the lead, the A's added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth, when Matt Chamish hit a two-out double to right and scored on Weisen's single to center.

In the top of the sixth, the Brewers threatened as Raffi Javaheri led off the inning with a hard-hit triple, followed by Greenberg's single that narrowed the score to 6-3. After a couple of fielder's choices, the Brewers were down to their final out. As has become a tradition in these playoffs, David Skurnik made the final out as Fasano grounded to first, Skurnik stepped on the base and the A's celebrated wildly in the middle of the infield.

It was a fitting way to end a fairy-tale season for the A's and their coaches, Harmon Skurnik and Dave Friedman, who had finished in first place for the third straight year but had never won a championship game.

The A's players worked hard (and had fun) all season and saw that their hard work paid off in the end. They learned that "defense wins championships," and the following players excelled defensively all year and deserve special mention: Sean Tolkin, probably the best catcher in the league; Ditto Friedman at short; Skurnik at first; Matt Chamish, who played as gutsy a second base as anyone could; Brandon Cohen, whose play at third base improved 100 percent; Greg Rosenberg, who never gave up and started taking charge in the outfield, making a great catch in the title game; Jason First, whose defense got better and better every week; Harris Fine, who contributed mightily in both infield and outfield positions; and Steven Edwards, whose inspiring "can do" attitude was admired by coaches and teammates alike.

For the Brewers, led by two of the best coaches in the league, Harvey Greenberg and Craig Lackow, it was a tough way to end what was a magical season for them. With only one loss in the regular season, they would have made worthy champions as well.

However, as everyone knows, there can only be one champion and this year it is the A's who will wear the ring.