The Royals neeeded two wins against the undefeated Blue Jays to take the Dartmouth Youth Activities Association Little League championship, and with consistent hitting, the team did just that.

On August 9, the 11-player team felt energized and focused, said team Manager Mark Joaquin. The team of 10, 11, and 12 year olds had already suffered one loss and taken one win. The players understood the the next game was winner take all.

A demonstration of team effort, the Royals took the championship game, 18-7.

"I've been coaching baseball all my life. I've never seen anything like it," Joaquin said. "They were really excited. They definitely earned the championship."

The Royals began the season in April, and closed with a 15-2 record. Eight of the league's 12 teams advanced to the playoffs, which began on July 17. The Royals ended the semi-finals with four wins and one loss.

Going into the championship, the players recalled their training from Saturday practices.

"It takes commitment from players and parents to make a winning team," said Joaquin. "They worked hard at practice. We stuck together as a team."

During the final game, Joaquin said his team racked up runs with consistent batting and defense, not because the other team made errors.

"Pitching, defense, and timely hitting could describe our season," he said. "We didn't give up more than four runs all year."

Joaquin said the team consisted of six kids that've played together before, and five new ones, but what mattered was that "the bats showed up."