It wasn't the effort of one pitcher that kept the A's off the basepaths, but two pitchers for three innings each. Vince Gemette started the game on the hill and struck out six batters in nine outs, allowing only one runner on base who was thrown out stealing. Trevor Marino took over Gemette's duties on the mound in the top of the fourth and struck out seven in his three innings, allowing only two runners on base--one in the fifth on an error and one in the sixth on a walk.

The O's put up a quick run in the bottom of the first. But it was in the bottom of the third when they did their real damage, scoring two runs against the A's who could barely reach base.

Marino led off the third with a base knock into right field and was chased home on a triple by Gemette. An out later, Michael Chang put down a nice bunt that scored Gemette. With the bases cleared, Parker Logue ripped a single into right and advanced to second when Colby Campbell drew a walk, but both were left stranded.

The first run for the Orioles came with one out in the first when Grant Brownfield belted a single to center. Marino flew out to left for the second out before Gemette drove in Brownfield with a double to left. Nick Reed was hit by a pitch and he and Gemette executed a double steal, but they were left on second and third when Chang grounded out to second.

Gemette was the big hitter for the O's, going 2 for 2 with a double, a triple, a walk, two RBIs and a stolen base. Marino was 2 for 3 with a single and a double.

Rounding out the squad for the Orioles are Jason Hasbash, Tommy Short, Patrick Grave, Mitchell Munoz and Andrew Cook.

Members of the A's squad are Hunter Pomeroy, Justin Dueck, Tyler Champlin, Michael Lavelle, Robert Rose, Ben Maxwell, Mitchell Evanier, Shane Santamoor, Michael Allen, Alex Caruso and Scott Keighley.

The championship game in the Northern League didn't go quite as smoothly. The Indians forced an "if needed" second game against the league-leading Devil Rays after winning 6-4 on June 4. The team coming into the playoffs with the best record had to be beaten twice. The Indians have now defeated the Devil Rays once and were to face them again on June 7.

The Indians are on a 12-game winning streak, which includes two games in the playoffs.

The Indians were able to put together nine hits against the Devil Rays and played nearly flawless defense, committing only one error. J.T. Mohs stood atop the hill for the first four innings and allowed only three runs before Coner Jauch took over in the fifth and held the Devil Rays to only one more run. Jauch also pitched his way out of a jam in the sixth, getting the outs he needed with the tying run on base.

Ryan O'Malley led the hitting attack for the Indians with three hits, while Jauch, Eric Caldwell, Mark Syn, Nick Medeiros, Sean Meagher and Michael Belligan added a hit each.

The rest of the squad for the Indians includes Askash Ghai, Peter Vassallo, Jake Neumann and Trevor Ramsey.

Kevin Patel was the big hitter for the Devil Rays with a home run and a double, which were two of their five hits. Max Veregge had two hits and Michael Reeve added one. Reeve, Patel and J.D. Correa each stood on the mound for the Devil Rays and combined for seven strikeouts in the game.

Rounding out the roster for the Devil Rays are Will Cobb, Cameron Crawford, Matt Brass, Tyler McGrath, Pahul Matharu, Del Wilkinson, Josh Duffy and Derek Seaman.

Tourney of Champs

The winner of the game on June 7 will join the Orioles in the District 12 Tournament of Champions, which the Almaden Little League will host beginning June 11.

The Almaden Southern champ--either the Devil Rays or the Indians--will host Los Gatos American at 10 a.m. and Los Gatos National will meet Willow Glen at the same time on a different field. The Orioles will represent Almaden Northern at 12:30 p.m. against Branham Hills with San Jose American and Saratoga colliding at the same time. In 3 p.m. games, Union faces Cambrian Park and Lincoln Glen meets Quito.

Games are slated at 5:30 p.m. on June 13 and 14 with the District 12 Tournament of Champions title game set for June 15 at 5:30 p.m.