After seven strenuous games in seven days of play at the PONY Mexico Zone Colt Championships in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Los Mochis, Sinaloa took home the title.

After surviving with victories in a one-run game on day one and a two-run game on day two, respectively, Los Mochis suffered defeat in a 1-0 loss to Cuervos 1-0 on day four. But Los Mochis buckled down and did not lose again for the rest of the tournament. Los Mochis roared through day five, the quarterfinals and semifinals with decisive victories over Tomas Oroz Gaytan, Guasave and Mazatlan, respectively, before securing an exciting 4-3 victory over Unison in the championship game.

With the win, Los Mochis has qualified for the Colt World Series this Aug. 4-9 in Lafayette, Indiana. In 2016, Los Mochis finished in the final four at the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pony World Series, losing to eventual champion Taipei County, Chinese Taipei 9-2 in the division finals. Los Mochis will have to defend the Colt World Series title, after Tijuana, Baja California won the 2016 championship, becoming the first team from Mexico to do so.