After clinching the Pinal County district title and earning their first-ever shot at hosting the state tournament, Maricopa Little League dropped into the elimination bracket of the 12U Arizona State Tournament following a 5-2 loss to Goodyear Little League on Saturday night.
Goodyear, representing the West Valley district, went on to a dominant 16-run, mercy-rule victory over Prescott in shutout fashion.
Maricopa will look to bounce back tonight when it faces Chandler National at 6 p.m. at Lake View Park in Maricopa’s Lakes neighborhood.
![A banner at Lake View Park announces Maricopa as the host site for this year’s 12U Arizona State Little League Tournament. [David Iversen]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC05268-scaled.jpg)
If they make it past tonight’s challenge, Maricopa will have to win five more games to secure the state title and avoid double elimination.
“They need to continue to believe in themselves,” said Jonathan Weiss, the Maricopa league president, of his team when contacted by phone this afternoon.
![Maricopa Little League players regroup in the dugout during Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Goodyear in the opening round of the 12U Arizona State Tournament at Lake View Park. [David Iversen]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC05255-scaled-e1752615527838.jpg)
The tournament bracket can be found here.
![Western Pinal Justice of the Peace Patricia Glover speaks during a City of Maricopa Republican Club on May 23, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260529-spencer-teeple-republican-club-1-4-300x200.jpg)
![Walmart wants to bring drone delivery services to Maricopa. [Bryan Mordt, Wing]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260622-walmart-drones-300x169.jpg)
![Western Pinal Justice of the Peace Patricia Glover speaks during a City of Maricopa Republican Club on May 23, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260529-spencer-teeple-republican-club-1-4-150x150.jpg)
