Completing a Cinderella 2025, the worst-to-first Royals surprised everyone by winning the fall 2025 championship after finishing 1-16-1 in the spring.
Daniel Gutierrez and Mike Miller tied for the team MVP, while Kyle Tanaka won the team Cy Young (finishing 2nd in the division) and Alex Uy won the team batting title (.416.) Uy also led the team in hits (17, 2nd in the AA), Miller led in runs (18, 2nd in AA) and walks (14, led the AA), Nick Perez and Uy led in rbis (10) and Andrew Miller led the team in steals (18, 2nd in the AA.) Most impressively, in our championship game, every single player reached base and either scored a run or knocked one in - a "team victory" in every sense of the phrase!
Thank you all for a great season - let's run it back in 2026!
2025 PCBL AA-Division Fall Championship
December 14th @ Conejo Creek
Royals (4-6) -vs- Doinks and Dingers (6-4)
Photos (courtesy of @david_manigault)
Underdogs reigned supreme in the big game this fall, as the 3-seeded Doinks and Dingers took on the 4-seeded Royals for the 2025 AA Fall Championship. These 2 teams met 3 times in the regular season, with the Doinks taking 2 of 3. But the suddenly-hot Royals had won 5 of their last 6 games, so the stage was set for an exciting match-up!
Leading off the first, Royals manager Mike Miller hit a single to right. Designated runner Andrew Miller went first-to-third when Alex Uy followed up with a single, and scored on a Gabe Sgambati ground out, giving the Royals a quick 1-0 lead. Oliver Lopez singled home Uy, and after Sergio Renteria walked, Michael Citro and Jake Romo hit back-to-back doubles to extend the lead to 5-0. Daniel Gutierrez reached on an error to bring home one more, giving the Royals a comfortable 6-0 lead.
The Doinks came to the plate hungry. With 1 out (on a Sportcenter-calipher play by Oliver Lopez and Kyle Tanaka), speedster Nick Rogers reached on an error and quickly swiped second. Billy Crothers singled him home, and Rohit Manimaran singled him to third. Spencer Laine knocked in Crothers on a fielder's choice, and with 1 inning in the books, the Royals led 6-2.
Both starting pitchers settled down after that. The Doinks' Nick Peterson put up 3 zeroes, and the Royals' Kyle Tanaka put up 2 zeroes. The score was still 6-2 heading into the bottom of the 4th, when Billy Crothers led off and reached 2nd on an error. Peterson helped his own cause and doubled him home, cutting the lead to 6-3.
Each hurler put up another zero, bringing us to the top of the 6th. After 2 quick outs, Taj Stansberry reached on a sun-aided single to shallow left. Giovanni Smith worked a 7-pitch walk, bringing the top of the order back up. 
Mike Miller quickly fell behind 0-2, before lining an rbi-single into left field, chasing Peterson from the game. The Royals weren't any easier on reliever Justin Jimenez. Alex Uy and Gabe Scambati both walked, plating another run, before Oliver Lopez and Sergio Renteria reached on back-to-back errors to extend the Royals' lead to 11-3.
With the Doinks' big lefty bats coming up, the Royals turned to a lefty arm themselves - closer Gabe Sgambati. After a quick strikeout, an error and stolen base put a runner in scoring position for the Doinks with Billy Crothers coming up again in a big spot. He didn't disappoint, lining a double to right center. The runner on second had to hold up until the ball dropped, and it cost the Doinks big. Centerfielder Andrew Miller hit cutoff man Alex Uy, who threw a strike to catcher Daniel Gutierrez, nailing the runner at the plate for the second out. Rohit Manimaran singled home Crothers, but was erased at first on a nasty pick-off by Sgambati. After 6, the Royals led 11-4.
Jimenez worked around a few baserunners in the 7th before the Doinks threatened again. Spencer Laine tripled to right, and after an Eddie Lopez walk, scored on a Joseph Mora single. With men on the corners, Gabe Sgambati dug deep and struck out the next 2 hitters to escape the jam, swinging the momentum back to the Royals.
Alex Uy doubled and Gabe Sgambati walked to lead off the 8th. After a 5-3 double play, Sergio Renteria came through with a clutch hit, extending the Royals' lead to 12-4. The Doinks made some noise in the bottom of the frame, but after Justin Jimenez was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a passed ball, Royals catcher Daniel Gutierrez caught him trying to swipe 3rd. Alex Evans and Nick Peterson both walked (with Evans swiping a pair of bags on a bad ankle), putting runners on the corners for Billy Crothers yet again. But the Royals were finally able to get the slugger out on a jam shot to second baseman Gabe Sherman, bending but not breaking yet again.
In the top of the 9th, the Royals responded one more time. Jake Romo led off with a hit by pitch, and one out later, back-to-back singles by Taj Stansberry and Giovanni Smith gave the Royals a 13-5 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th.
Rohit Manimaran led off with a single, and one out later scored on a Spencer Laine double. After swiping third, Laine tried to score on a ball in the dirt, but a close play at home went the Royals' way and Laine was called out. Eddie Lopez reached on an error with 2 outs, but was caught stealing 3rd on another close play, ending the Doinks' comeback and earning the Royals their 3rd championship!
Congratulations on the Doinks on a great season, and a hard fought championship game. But this ended up being a day for the boys in Columbia blue - the Royals are your 2025 Fall AA Champions!
Congratulations to your Fall 2025 AA-Division Champion Royals!
Royals 6 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 1 13 14 5
Doinks 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 6 13 4
Pitching Stats
WP Kyle Tanaka (Royals) 5IP, 0ER (3R), 7H, 4K, BB (co-MVP)
LP Nick Peterson (Doinks) 5.2IP, 7ER (9R), 7H, 6K, 4BB, HBP
S Gabe Sgambati (Royals) 4IP, 2ER (3R), 6H, 6K, 3BB, HBP, PO (co-MVP)
Justin Jimenez (Doinks) 3.1IP, 2ER (3R), 5H, 2K, 4BB, HBP
Royals
Alex Uy - 4-4, 2 2B, 2R, 2BB
Jake Romo - 2-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI, HBP, SB
Mike Miller - 2-6, 2R, RBI
Taj Stansberry - 2-4, R, BB, SB
Daniel Gutierrez (catcher) - 4 runners caught stealing
Doinks and Dingers
Billy Crothers - 2-4, 2B, 3R, RBI
Rohit Manimaran - 3-4, R, RBI, SB
Joseph Mora - 3-4, RBI
Since the Royals returned to the PCBL in 2024, they knew it would take some time to rebuild a competitive squad. Over the past 2 summers, they've put up a 1-23-1 record. But the legacy was there, as skipper Mike Miller has taken his team to the championship game 8 times (winning 2 of their last 3.) After Sunday's pair of victories, the Royals will be returning for the first time since 2016 - marking their 9th trip to the big game!
To get there, they would have to take down the Threshers (who'd beaten them twice this season) and the Bats (the top seed, who the Royals haven't bested since returning to the league.)
Game 1
The Royals got on the board early against the Threshers. With a ghost runner on 2nd, Mike Miller took a pitch to the gut. One out later, Gabe Sgambati walked, and Oliver Lopez looped a single to center to take a 1-0 lead. Ace Kyle Tanaka gave up 4 in the bottom of the frame, but the Royals were just getting started on offense. Ghost runner Daniel Gutierrez scored on a Sergio Renteria single, and after Mike Miller singled him to 3rd (and designated runner Gabe Sherman swiped second), Alex Uy singled home the pair to tie the game up.
Tanaka worked a quiet bottom of the 2nd, and the Royals came up big in the 3rd. With one out and ghost runner Sgambati on third, Lopez walked (runner Andrew Miller quickly swiped second), Gutierrez walked and Taj Stansberry was hit by a pitch to score 1. Renteria walked to plate 1, and with 2 outs, Mike Miller was hit by another pitch, plating another. Uy finished the scoring with another 2-run single, giving the Royals a 5-run lead. But the Threshers refused to go quietly into the night. Their first 6 hitters reached base in the bottom of the 3rd, accounting for 4 runs and loading the bags. However, Tanaka threw the team on his back and struck out the next 3 batters, ending the threat and sending the Royals into the semi-finals.
Game 2
In the top of the first against the Bats, Alex Uy walked. After Oliver Lopez reached on a fielder's choice and Jake Romo got hit by a pitch, Sergio Renteria walked to bring in the first run, taking a 1-0 lead. Tanaka worked around a hit and an error in the first inning, courtesy of Andrew Miller running down a sinking line drive in the gap to end the frame. That was the inspiration the Royals needed. Daniel Gutierrez singled and designated runner Andrew Miller took second on a wild pitch. Taj Stansberry moved him to third on a ground out and Mike Miller singled him home. Uy doubled designated runner Gabe Sherman to 3rd, and Gabe Sgambati grounded out to stretch the lead to 3-0.
After a quiet 2nd for Tanaka, the Royals broke things open. Sergio Renteria led off with a single, but was quickly erased by a fielder's choice. After Gutierrez was hit by a pitch, 3 straight walks to Stansberry, Miller and Uy brought home 2. Sgambati singled home 1, and Oliver Lopez singled home a pair to take a 9-0 lead.
Tanaka gave up a solo home run in the bottom of the 3rd, but the Royals got that one back quickly. Guiterrez led off with a double, and designated runner Andrew Miller swiped 3rd. One out later, Mike Miller grounded out to bring home his son.
A pair of doubles and a home run plated 3 for the Bats in the bottom of the frame to give them a little life, and after a quiet inning for the Royals, the Bats looked to get back into the game. After a 1-out single and a stolen base, the Bats' leadoff hitter launched a deep drive to center field. Andrew Miller ran it down and caught it against the wall (with his back to the infield) for the second out, nearly doubling the runner off second with a laser to second baseman Gabe Sherman. It wouldn't matter, as Tanaka picked the runner off 2 pitches later to end the threat.
With the momentum back on the side of the boys in columbia blue (and time running low), the 6th inning would end up being the final inning. Gutierrez led off with a walk, and runner Andrew Miller swiped second. One out later, Mike Miller walked, and Uy singled home 1. Sgambati walked to load the bases, and Lopez got hit by a pitch to bring another in. Jake Romo took another one for the team, bringing home another, and Renteria walked to bring home yet another. Nick Perez grounded out to round out the scoring, giving the Royals a 15-4 lead.
Tanaka, doing his best Yoshinobu Yamamoto impression, worked around a leadoff double in the bottom of the frame to collect his second complete game victory of the day, sending the exhausted Royals to their first championship in 9 years.
Every single Royal reached base and had an impact in these games, so we could hand out accolades to every player. Here are a few notable performances:
- Kyle Tanaka - 9 IP, 10 ER, 15 H, 12 K, 2 BB
- Mike Miller - 2 for 4, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 6 R, 3 RBI
- Alex Uy - 4 for 6, 2 BB, 3 R, 6 RBI
- Sergio Renteria - 3 for 3, 4 BB, 2 R, 4 RBI
- Daniel Gutierrez - 2 for 4, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 6 R
- Andrew Miller/Gabe Sherman - designated runners 14 times for 12 R and 5 SB
Next Sunday, the Royals face off with the Doinks and Dingers at 1:30pm at Conejo Creek. The weather looks like it'll cooperate, and these 2 teams are sure to put up a great game!
***
Championship History
Fall 2006 - loss vs SCV Raiders
Fall 2009 - loss vs Hammers
Fall 2013 - loss vs Dodgers
Spring 2014 - loss vs Wailers
Fall 2014 - loss vs Warriors
Fall 2015 - WIN vs Lookouts
Spring 2016 - loss vs Pirates
Fall 2016 - WIN vs Lookouts
Fall 2025 - ??? vs Doinks and Dingers
The Royals needed a win or a tie to clinch a playoff spot, but the Threshers came up with 4 runs in the 9th to win, forcing a play-in game next week to see who is the 4-seed in the playoffs.
The Royals' pitchers were on fire for the first 8 innings. Kyle Tanaka was light's out for 6 innings, allowing 3 runs (all unearned) on 6 hits and 3 errors, notching 4 strikeouts. Gabe Sgambati relieved and put up zeroes in the 7th and 8th, but the 9th inning was unlucky for him. A borderline walk, a ground ball to right field and a seeing-eye single in the Bermuda Triangle between first/second/pitcher loaded the bases with no outs. A single and a double brought home 4, and the Threshers were on to celebrate.
Offensively, most of the Royals struggled, but the bottom of the lineup was solid. They broke through in the 5th - Nick Perez doubled, and one out later, Sergio Renteria doubled him home. In the 6th, Jake Romo reached on a hit batsman and Daniel Guiterrez walked. Taj Stansberry lined an rbi-single to left, and some weird defense on a Renteria ground out allowed designated runner Andrew Miller to score. WIth 2 outs, Alex Uy brought home another on an error, giving the Royals a 4-3 lead. Unfortunately, that would be all the offense they could muster, as they struck out a season high 17 times in the loss.
Defensively, both Alex Uy and Jake Romo showed off their arms from the left side of the infield, while a pair of second baseman (Andrew Miller and Gabe Sherman) both hosed runners at 3rd on relay throws from shallow right field.
Next weekend, the Royals and Threshers meet up again, this time in a 3-inning California tiebreaker play-in game. The winner will immediately face the Bats, while the loser will pack their gear for the remainder of 2025. Play-in game will be at El Cariso Park at 8:30am, with the Bats game following immediately after.
The Royals moved into 4th place with a big sweep over the weekend against the Orioles.
Game 1 started in the bottom of the 5th inning with the Royals trailing 8-7, picking up from their week 1 suspended game. The Royals' bats came out hot, including a pair of 2-run doubles by Eric Addis and Daniel Gutierrez. The team batted around while plating 6 runs. Andrew Miller swiped 2 bags for 2 different runners in the inning. Alex Uy got the win with a scoreless 6th inning before time expired (the 3rd vultured win of the season for the Royals improved bullpen!)
The Royals' offense picked up in game 2 where it left off in game 1, scoring in all 6 frames and running away with a 16-2 victory. Kyle Tanaka got the complete game victory, allowing those 2 runs on 9 hits and no walks while striking out 5. Offensively, Alex Uy (2 hits, 3 walks) and Mike Miller (3 hits, 1 walk, 1 error) reached all 10 times they came to the plate. Uy and Michael Citro each scored 4 runs, Miller knocked in 3, and Citro and Nick Perez each doubled in the victory. Every Royal in the starting lineup reached at least once.
Next week, the Royals end the regular season against the Threshers at 7pm at Dunsmore Park in La Crescenta. With a postseason berth on the line, you can expect a playoff atmosphere under the lights!
The Royals took a big step in keeping their playoff hopes alive Sunday, splitting a doubleheader with the always-tough Doinks and Dingers.
Game 1 saw rookie Sergio Renteria take the mound, but he was greeted rudely by the DD hitters. After 7 batters and no outs, the Royals turned to Mike Miller trailing 5-0. Miller worked out of a first and third jam without allowing a run (thanks in part to a great backpick by catcher Oliver Lopez.) Miller would go on to throw 4 solid innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3. Fresh off the DL, Andrew Miller relieved and pitched an inning (3 earned, 4 hits, 1 strikeout), and Alex Uy made his PCBL pitching debut with an inning of 0-run relief, striking out 1.
Unfortunately, the Royals offense couldn't put together much in game 1, scoring just 4 runs in the loss. Oliver Lopez led the way with 2 hits and 2 runs scored, while Michael Citro (2 hits, 2 rbis) and Nick Perez (2 hits, 1 rbi) both contributed. New Royal Melly King picked up his first career hit, but strained a hammy late, extending the curse of Poly High School. Defensively, the team was led by Alex Uy (multiple incredible plays) and Taj Stansberry (with a Sportscenter diving catch on a sinking line drive in the hole at second.)
Game 2 was a see-saw battle that saw both teams play at a high level. Kyle Tanaka took the bump for the Royals and worked 5 fantastic innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks while notching 2 strikeouts. Gabe Sgambati relieved in the 6th with the Royals up 4-3. The Doinks greeted him with a run in the inning, but he pitched a quiet 7th before a dropped strike 3 paired with an errant throw gave the Doinks a 5-4 lead halfway thru the 8th. But the Royals would come back with 3 clutch runs in the bottom of the frame, and Sgambati pitched a perfect 9th to drive the boys in columbia blue to victory! All told, Sgambati went 4 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 to collect his first PCBL win.
On offense, Mike Miller continued his late season hot streak, going 3 for 3 with 1 run and a sac bunt. Jake Romo had 2 hits, including a dramatic game-tying double in the 8th, scoring twice and knocking in 1. Nick Perez led the team with 3 rbis.
In control of their own playoff destiny, the Royals play 2 more games next weekend against the Orioles, finishing their opening day game (suspended due to medical issues with an umpire), and then playing their normally-scheduled game immediately following. The fun starts at 9am at College of the Canyons. With numerous paths to the postseason (including a few messy scenarios that could end up with California tiebreaker play-in), the Royals have got themselves some exciting November baseball on the calendar!
The Royals' bats were more quiet than usual as the boys in columbia blue only notched 3 hits against a short-staffed Soldiers team. The Soldiers had no such problems, running away with the game 16-6 before the lights turned off on the Royals in the bottom of the 8th (both figuratively and literally.)
On the mound, Kyle Tanaka took the hill, but between the Soldiers' bats and the Royals' defense (or lack thereof), things didn't go according to plan. 10 runs (5 earned) on 9 hits over 5 innings left the Royals in a hole. Sergio Renteria, making his PCBL debut, pitched a solid inning of relief, walking one but picking him off first shortly after, allowing only 1 earned over 1+ inning. Mike Miller took on mop up duties, allowing 5 runs (3 earned) over the final 2 frames - picking up a nice knot on his shin in the process courtesy of a rocket up the middle.
At the plate, there wasn't a lot to talk about. The Soldiers were consistently inconsistent, lulling the Royals to sleep with 11 walks. Miller continued his hot hitting with a single and a walk, scoring once. Taj Stansberry singled (first career PCBL hit) and knocked in a run, Renteria singled (first career PCBL hit), knocked in 2, stole a base and scored once, and Daniel Gutierrez walked 3 times, stole 2 bases and scored once.
Still sitting just half a game out of a playoff spot with 4 games to go, the Royals get a much-needed bye this weekend. Coming back on October 26th, the Doinks and Dingers come to town for a double dip, 8:30am and 11:45am at Poly High School.
The Royals, already down 2 players to injuries, lost 2 more for the majority of the season on Sunday, as the Bats took advantage of the Royals' defensive struggles to win 16-7.
Mike Miller took the hill for his first start of the season and threw well - allowing only 1 earned run on 3 hits and 2 walks over 3 innings. Unfortunately, misfortune would lead to 6 additional unearned runs (more on that shortly.) Jake Romo came in to relieve, and followed with more of the same - 2.2 innings of 0 earned run ball, but the misfortune followed him to the tune of 7 more unearned runs. Gabe Sgambati finished things off, working 1.1 innings of 0 earned run ball, but an error would also lead to an unearned run for him. Overall, the Royals allowed 1 earned run and 15 unearned runs in a sloppy game.
Gio Smith left the game in the first inning after diving for a fly ball down the left field line and catching it with his face, and while Zeke Guzman tried to tough it out, a foot injury on a swing in the first inning will cost him the remainder of the season, plus likely some time next spring. It was a rough day to be wearing Columbia blue.
Offensively, Miller led the way, going 2 for 2 with a walk, scoring twice and knocking in 1. He's now reached safely in 8 straight plate appearances. Fill-in Josh Holmes had 2 hits and 2 rbis. Nick Perez stole the only base for the Royals.
Next week, the Royals face off with the Soldiers in a rare 7pm game under the lights at Dunsmore Park.
The Royals offense continue to improve, as they took a 9-run lead into the bottom of the 6th. But the wheels would fall off, and the Doinks scored 12 unanswered runs to take a 16-13 victory.
Kyle Tanaka had his best start of the season, going 5 innings allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits. Jake Romo struggled with his control over the next 1+ inning, giving up 11 runs (7 earned) on 5 hits, 3 walks and 3 hit batsmen. Mike Miller closed things out with his signature "heat", throwing the final 2 innings without allowing a hit.
At the plate, every Royal starter had at least one hit except Mike Miller - who came up 5 times and recorded 5 walks - a Royals single-game record! Alex Uy, while playing stellar defense at shortstop, led the offense going 4 for 6, while Oliver Lopez knocked in 3 and Miller scored 3 times. Designated runner Andrew Miller stole 4 bases, and made a diving catch in center to keep the game close in the 8th. Gabe Sgambati had a 3-hit game as well in the loss.
Next week, the surging Royals face off with the Bats - time and location still TBD.
The Royals hot start was cooled off as the Thresher's pitchers struck out 16 in Sunday's game.
In the field, the Royals continued to show strength with their pitching. 4 pitchers combined to allow 1 earned run, allowing 7 hits and 11 walks. If not for a few fielding mistakes, this could have been a much closer game. Jake Romo had the best day on the hill, striking out 5 in 3.1 innings, allowing only 1 hit. Eric Addis closed things out with 2 scoreless frames.
At the plate, the Royals just couldn't get anything going. Gabe Sherman had both the best day and the worst day at the plate, walking twice and being hit by a pitch, however that hit by pitch fractured his wrist and knocked him out for the next 4-6 weeks. Zeke Guzman had a walk and a hit by pitch and was the only other Royal to reach base more than once. As a team, the Royals only had 5 hits (and everyone but Sherman struck out at least once.)
Quickly putting this game behind them, the Royals look forward to starting a new winning streak Sunday against the Doinks and Dingers, 10am at El Cariso Park.
