BENICIA LITTLE LEAGUE’S 11/12 all-stars begin District 53 Tournament play on Thursday in Fairfield.

Success has proven elusive for Benicia Little League’s 11/12 all-star teams in recent years, but the 2015 group of Majors all-stars hopes to change that when they begin District 53 Tournament play Thursday against Suisun at the Fairfield Atlantic Little League site.

Benicia’s 11/12s have gone only 3-8 over the past four years and haven’t won the District 53 championship since 2007. Current manager Mike Meitz hopes his team can change Benicia’s fortunes.

“Everybody thinks of us as an underdog and kind of blows us off,” Meitz said. “But with the kids we have, I think we can compete with any team in District 53. We’re very strong and have a great group of kids.”

Leading the offense is Princeton Toki, who led Benicia Little League with 10 home runs for the Red Sox this spring. All-star teammate Michael Lopretta (Giants) clubbed six home runs while Justin Palacios (Phillies) had three.

“We’re definitely blessed when it comes to hitting,” Meitz noted.

Meitz hasn’t settled on a lineup, but expect to see Connor Maio (Mariners) and Cade Tobias (Pirates) near the top of the batting order. Hunter Griswold (Athletics) has a sweet swing while players like Santana Urias, Andrew Foley, A.J. Longmire, Daniel Morgan Jr., Cesar Rubio, Aiden Sherry and Alyas Vigil all bring something to the plate.

Like most all-star teams, Benicia is loaded with pitching. Maio – who helped lead the Mariners to Benicia’s World Series championship – joins Lopretta and Urias as the team’s top hurlers.

“They’re the elite pitchers of our 11/12 division and any of them could be our ace,” Meitz noted. “Connor is pinpoint accurate, can change speeds and put it wherever he wants it, but Michael and Santana are just as good.”

Urias will likely play shortstop when he’s not pitching.

“He’s very baseball smart and you can’t find a better shortstop,” Meitz said. “He knows exactly what to do on a play.”

Several players will be trying out new positions, including Tobias, who spent most of the season at shortstop but will be playing left field for the first time.

“You’d think he’s been playing outfield his whole career because he catches everything,” Meitz said. “He’s a natural.”

The key to winning a District 53 championship is winning the first game of the tournament to avoid dropping into the loser’s bracket. That makes Thursday’s game against Suisun absolutely crucial.

“If we can stay out of the loser’s bracket, I think we’ve got a good shot,” Meitz said. “I’m confident our kids have the talent to go a long way, and if all goes well, we can bring home the championship.”

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