Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by Christian del Rosario

Los Gatos all-star Bryan Schiefelbein races for home, but he was tossed out at the plate in a tough 3-0 loss to Willow Glen. Gatos lost 12-2 to WG a day later to wind up second in the district tournament.

Gatos hosts Divisional

Road to Williamsport could go through Los Gatos

By Dick Sparrer

The road to the Little League World Series ends up in Williamsport, Pa., each summer.

But this year, that road just might wind through Los Gatos.

To reach the World Series, an area team must win championships at the district, section and divisional levels, then finally at the Western Regionals in San Bernadino. The next step is Williamsport.

Well, Los Gatos could get a look at that World Series club since the local Little League will host the Northern California Divisional Tournament on July 26-Aug. 3 at Baggerly Field in Blossom Hill Park.

The six sectional champions will get together for a double-elimination tournament in Los Gatos that begins with a pair of games on Saturday and two more games on Sunday.

Opening ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, featuring the introduction of all players on the six teams, and former major league star Dave Righetti will be on hand to throw out the first pitch, then sign autographs for the fans.

Righetti was a star hurler for the New York Yankees who later pitched for both the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's. He threw a no-hitter as a starting pitcher for the Yanks, but ended up in the bullpen and set a club record for saves with 224.

Games are slated for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. the first weekend, and at 5:30 p.m. each weekday. The championship game is set for Aug. 2, 1 p.m., with an "if necessary" game on Aug. 3, 1 p.m.

Admission to the tournament is free, but local fans are encouraged to walk or ride bikes to the field since crowds of over 1,500 fans per day are expected.

Johnny's Northside Grill will host a barbecue for all of the players and will also offer meals for sale to the public during the tourney.

Los Gatos will set up a tent on the A division field at Blossom Hill School that will feature games for kids and a special area for pin-trading, a popular activity at Little League tournaments.

Gatos falls

Los Gatos had hoped to have its own all-star team represent the league in the tournament, but the Gatos 12-year-old all-stars lost back-to-back games to Willow Glen Little League in the District 12 finals.

Gatos had won its way to the finals of the winner's bracket and had to be beaten twice in the double-elimination tournament to lose the tourney crown.

Willow Glen pulled out a 3-0 thriller in the first game to force the "if necessary" game, then pounded three home runs in a 12-2 win over Los Gatos to win the title.

Willow Glen advanced to the Section 5 tournament with the win, but lost 4-3 to Sunnyvale National Little League in its first game.

Oak Ridge and Hartnell of Salinas round out the four-team field at the sectional being played this week at the Campbell Little League field. That winner will play in the divisional at Los Gatos next weekend.

Los Gatos and Willow Glen were locked in scoreless tie through four innings in the first championship game at the district tourney.

Gatos tried to grab the lead in the top of the fifth when Bryan Schiefelbein attempted to race home on a single to right by Andrew O'Gorman, but he was gunned down at the plate.

"That was a big one," said Gatos manager Pete Nelson of the play at the plate. "That would have made a big difference."

Adam Nelson was in command through four innings, throwing goose eggs at Willow Glen, but he was touched for three unearned runs in the last of the fifth, and that was the difference in the game.

"He was just throwing a great game," the manager said of his hurler. "That was one of the best games I saw him throw all year."

Nelson, who struck out 10 in the game, retired the first two batters he faced in the fifth. But a double and a walk put runners on first and second before an error loaded the bags and extended the inning. A double and a passed ball helped Willow Glen pick up the three runs.

"That's a game we should have won," admitted the manager.

Los Gatos had just two hits in the 3-0 loss to Willow Glen, the single by O'Gorman and a pinch-hit single by Andy Betzina.

"But the boys just did a great job," said Nelson. "They won three games, but they had to win four to win the championship."

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