It was anything but easy for the Serra stars, who had to overcome a scrappy, spirited Santa Clara Briarwood team twice in four days to complete a five-game unbeaten run to the title.

First, in the winner's bracket final on July 6, Serra lost 1-0 on the scoreboard, but was awarded a 6-0 forfeit victory. When a Briarwood player did not fulfill the "minimum play" requirement of three consecutive defensive outs and one full at-bat, Serra's 1-0 loss suddenly was a berth in the championship game.

Then, in the championship game on July 9, Serra survived Briarwood's five-run fifth inning and staved off a huge threat in the top of the sixth to claim a 6-5 triumph. It is the first District 44 championship for Serra, a league that's boundaries include parts of Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Los Altos.

Serra's first game in the five-team sectional at Santa Clara Westside's Steve Carli Field is set for 10 a.m. on July 17. Win or lose, Serra's second game of the double-elimination event will be the next day. The Section 5 winner advances to the Northern California Division 2 tournament the following week in Sacramento.

Serra jumped out a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Devan Ramsour singled and scored on a two-out hit by A.J. Puziol. Pitcher Paul Kamradt then helped his cause with an RBI double.

With one out in the fourth, Patrick Crowley singled and Nick Utley walked. Crowley scored and Utley raced to third when Ramsour's high hopper bounced past the second baseman for a hit. While James Osorio's well-placed bunt up the third base line went for a hit, Utley scurried home and Ramsour hustled around to third. Moments later, Puziol fisted a ball into right field, chasing home Ramsour and Osorio for a 6-0 lead.

Kamradt, who had struck out eight and allowed just three hits during the first four innings, retired the first batter in the fifth. But, Briarwood roared back. Six straight batters reached base, the last one against Puziol, who was brought in to put out the fire. When the smoke had cleared, two singles, two doubles, a walk and an error added up to five Briarwood runs.

A leadoff double gave Briarwood hope in the top of the sixth, but Serra turned a line drive into a double play. Crowley, playing first, caught the liner, turned and threw to shortstop Kamradt, who tagged second base just ahead of the runner diving back.

Briarwood was not done. A single and an error put runners on second and third. Frankie Contreras, who had reached base in all three of his prior at-bats, was standing at the plate.

When third baseman Joey Whitworth scooped Contreras' grounder and threw out him out by a step, registering the elusive final out, Serra's first District 44 crown was finally secured.

Metro goes 2-2

After losing its opener 2-1, the Sunnyvale Metro Little League 11-year-old all-stars won a pair of one-run games before being ousted by Cupertino American. Metro's wins were against Santa Clara Homestead, 9-8, and Serra, 5-4 in seven innings.

Rob Rebhotz pitched two innings of scoreless relief and teammates Aki Saito and Mikey Havan had two apiece in the win over Serra. Cal Ruti Van Voist, Ryan Tracey and Jordan Dieck scored Metro's runs in the 7-3 loss to Cupertino American.