None of the three lost more than three games, and two Los Altos teams met in the Tournament of Champions finale.

So it wasn't surprising when the Los Altos all-star team won five straight games by a combined score of 55-3, including four shutouts. In those games, Cupertino American was the only team to challenge Los Altos, losing just 6-3.

So how do you beat a team like Los Altos?

Just ask Cupertino National manager Jim Farmer--his team did it twice!

Cupertino National rallied to top Los Altos 4-2 on July 9, claiming the District 44 championship and earning the right to represent the district in the upcoming Section 5 tournament. The victory completed National's five-game run through the 10-team field, which began with the first win over Los Altos, 6-5, on June 28.

In between wins over Los Altos, CN topped Sunnyvale Southern 21-3, Santa Clara Briarwood 9-2 and Serra 12-6.

"This team has incredible chemistry," Farmer said following the win that captured the District 44 crown. "The guys love playing together and they play hard for each other."

Los Altos, which was playing its fourth game in as many days, scored twice in the second inning and took the 2-0 lead into the fifth. Los Altos pitcher Alex O'Connor, working on a no-hitter, struck out the first batter, but gave up a single to Jason Estes. A pop fly was caught for the second out, then Shawn Voigt hit another infield fly, which figured to end the inning. However, it was dropped by the shortstop, extending the CN inning.

Chris Moe quickly made Los Altos pay, driving a ball over the right fielder's head for a two-run double to tie the game. After Ryan Walker walked, Allister McGuire singled home Moe for a 3-2 lead. Matt Garber gave CN an insurance run when he singled home Chris Gustafson in the sixth.

McGuire went the distance for National, throwing shutout ball over the final five frames. He allowed just four hits, three during Los Altos' scoring rally in the second, striking out only three.

"We believed that if we played solid defense, we could play with anyone," Farmer said. "So far, mission accomplished! If we continue to improve, I think that same plan will keep us moving through the next level."

CN's first sectional game is set for 10 a.m. on July 17 at San Jose's Del Mar High School.

Billy Guardino, Andrew Denman, Matt Wilson and Dylan Gantley also were contributors to CN's run to the district title. Farmer is assisted by coaches Steve Gustafson, Duane Voigt, Joe Gantley, Pat McGuire, Don Garber and Bill Guardino.

Against Briarwood on July 5, Gustafson drove in three runs with a two-run single and a sacrifice fly. Voigt pitched the first six innings, scattering five hits and walking just two batters, while striking out seven.

CN scored seven runs during the last two innings against Serra on July 7 to break open a game that Serra had worked hard to tie. Serra had pulled even, 5-5, with a four-run fifth.

Winning pitcher Jason Hogin allowed just four hits, including triples to Anant Gupta and Rex Blodgett. Greg Kamradt pitched five-plus innings for Serra.

Serra won its opener, 7-5 over Sunnyvale National, as winning pitcher Elliott Rivera struck out seven in four innings of work.