Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Homerless Los Gatos falls out of District 12 tourney

By Dick Sparrer

The home runs were flying out of Baggerly Field in the District 12 Little League tournament being held at the home of the Los Gatos Little League. But unfortunately for Los Gatos all-star manager Randy Frey, none was flying off the bats of his players.

In fact, Los Gatos had been eliminated from the tournament a night before 12 homers soared over the fences in the two games played on Saturday.

The Gatos 'stars lost a couple of one-run heartbreakers last week, including a tough 8-7 loss to Branham Hills on Friday night that knocked the locals out of the tournament.

"That was really the key, we just didn't have any power," said Frey, whose club went without a home run in the tournament.

But the Gatos 'stars still gave powerful Cambrian all it could handle in a Tuesday night game last week.

"We played a great game," said Frey. "We played them even the whole way. It was one of those games--if we could have just gotten a break or two."

The luck, though, was going the opposite way for Los Gatos. With two out and the tying run on second base in the fourth, Danny Politi shot a ground ball that appeared headed up the middle for a run-scoring single. But the ball hit the pitcher in the foot, and he recovered to throw Politi out at first for an inning-ending out.

Cambrian took a 1-0 lead on three walks and a ground out in the first inning, then upped it to 3-0 with a two-run homer in the third.

But Gatos rallied back in the third. Matt Martini beat out a bunt single in the third, and Wes Piper sacrificed him to second. Politi lined a single to left to drive in a run, and he moved to second when the outfielder misplayed the ball. An out later, David Holtzman singled to left to drive in a run.

David Juarez got the run back for Cambrian in the top of the fourth with a solo homer, but Gatos rallied in the bottom of the frame.

With two outs, pinch hitter Tyler Burke doubled down the left field line. Martini singled home Burke before pinch hitter Chris Danser reached on an error. With runners on first and second, Politi hit the hard grounder off the pitcher's foot.

Holtzman tossed the first four innings for Gatos, fanning seven but walking four and allowing four runs. Corey Graham took over in the fifth and blanked Cambrian. He fanned two hitters, and Holtzman, who moved to catcher after leaving the mound, tossed out a runner attempting to steal.

Los Gatos threatened in the home half of the fifth. J.P. Grist doubled to left-center, and Holtzman followed with a ground ball into the hole at short. The shortstop gunned down Holtzman in a controversial play at first, and the first sacker came up throwing to gun down Grist trying to go to third.

Gatos made some noise in the sixth, too. Graham walked with two out and raced to third on a double down the right field line by Martini. But Cambrian fanned the next hitter to clinch the win.

Martini was three-for-three for Los Gatos, and Holtzman had two hits. Burke and Grist each doubled, and Politi singled.

Los Gatos was eliminated from the tourney on Friday in an 8-7 loss to Branham Hills.

"We had our chances," said Frey. "We just couldn't cash in with a big hit."

An error and a single opened the gates for six Branham runs in the third, and that was more than Los Gatos could overcome.

Bunt singles by Politi and Grist, a run-scoring double by Holtzman and a two-run single to center by Michael Robards gave Gatos a 3-0 lead in the first, but Branham came back with two in the bottom of the first.

Politi singled to left, and Grist walked to open the third. Politi scored on a passed ball, Holtzman doubled home Grist and Robards singled to drive in Holtzman to give LG a 6-2 lead.

But Branham came back with six in the bottom of the inning.

Gatos got one back and threatened to get more in the top of the sixth. Politi walked and ended up scoring on a wild pitch. Holtzman singled and Chad Rabello walked, but a pop fly and ground out ended the threat.

Politi was three-for-three, and Holtzman singled and doubled twice. Robards had the two hits, and Grist had one.

Split for Quito

Quito split its games last week, beating Willow Glen 3-2 in eight innings before losing 16-4 to Almaden to face elimination.

Andrew Hoppin went all eight innings to toss a two-hitter to lead Quito to the extra inning win over Willow Glen. Hoppin struck out 11 in the game. "He pitched a great game," said Frey of Hoppin.

Quito won it in the eighth when Scott Heller beat out a bunt single, moved to third on a wild pitch and passed ball, and scored on a single to right by Danny Sizemore.

David Smith came off the bench to blast a home run on Saturday, but Quito lost 16-4 to Almaden.

Baggerly Field Record

The 12 homers on Saturday were the most ever hit out of Baggerly Field in a single day, according to Frey. "I think that's a one-day record for home runs," he said.

Almaden led the assault with five homers--two by Darren Gemoll and one each by Jonathan Gutierrez, Chris Hennessey and Jason Gustavson.

Justin Johnson hit three for Lincoln Glen and teammate Scott Righetti blasted one.

Thomas DeLong and Ryan Contreras each homered for Cambrian and Smith smacked the one for Quito.

Last Week's Scores

Monday--Willow Glen 10, American 2; Tuesday--Cambrian 4, Los Gatos 3; Wednesday--Branham Hills 6, Union 2; Thursday--Quito 3, Willow Glen 2 (8 innings); Friday--Branham Hills 8, Los Gatos 7; Saturday--Almaden 16, Quito 4; Saturday--Lincoln Glen 14, Cambrian 6.

This Week's Games

Monday, July 20--Almaden vs. Branham Hills; Tuesday, July 21--Cambrian vs. Monday winner; Wednesday, July 22--Lincoln Glen vs. Tuesday winner; Thursday, July 23 (if necessary)--Lincoln Glen vs. Wednesday winner.

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