Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Los Gatos Little League all-star Forrest Gallien races around third on his way to the plate. But he was tossed out at home, and Los Gatos would end up losing a 2-1 decision to Almaden in the District 12 championship game.

A Heartbreaking Finish for Los Gatos All-stars

But path was filled with thrills

By Dick Sparrer

Athletic events are made up of thrills and heartbreaks.

And the Los Gatos Little League major division all-star team experienced both in the recently completed District 12 tournament played at John Baggerly Field.

Los Gatos had its share of thrills on the way to reaching the district championship game against Almaden-- beating Union 3-1, edging Branham Hills 6-5 in extra innings and knocking off Quito 8-0, but only after battling through four innings of a scoreless tie.

Gatos played another thriller in the tourney title game against Almaden. But it ended up a heartbreaker for the local kids. Los Gatos lost 2-1 when Almaden scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the win and a berth in the sectional tournament.

The all-star dream was dashed for Los Gatos. The local 'stars had dreams of a possible trip to Williamsport, that place in Pennsylvania that marks the end of the Little League rainbow, but their season came to an abrupt halt on a Monday evening at Baggerly Field.

Ironically, it was an evening filled with thrills for the crowd of more than 300 Little League fans on hand for the championship game.

There were clutch hits, there were big defensive plays and there was solid pitching on each side. But it all came down to a single run in the bottom of the seventh.

Derek Thomas had struck out 10, walked just three and allowed only three hits through the regulation six innings, but he forced back to the middle of the diamond to pitch the seventh to try to give Los Gatos one more shot at a victory.

A hit batsman and a bunt single had put runners on first and second for Almaden. Another bunt was fielded by Thomas to the left of the mound, but his throw was wide at first. The lead runner never hesitated and attempted to score all the way from second on the play. First sacker Danny Sullivan pounced on the ball, but his throw to catcher Marty Mullins was wide of the plate and Almaden had locked up the victory and the district championship.

Los Gatos had threatened a number of times throughout the game, but trailed 1-0 heading into the sixth inning. The locals faced elimination without a run, but they weren't about to go down without a fight.

Mullins ripped a two-strike pitch for a single up the middle and Thomas followed with a hit. With one out, Rusty Wall worked a walk on a three-two pitch to load the bases, then Sullivan came through with a clutch single over the second baseman's head to drive in Mullins with the tying run.

Gatos threatened again the seventh. With two outs Mullins reached on an error, and Thomas followed with a double to dead center. Unfortunately for Los Gatos, Thomas' blast bounced over the fence for a ground rule double, and Mullins was forced to stop at third. An pop fly ended the threat.

Thomas doubled and singled twice for Gatos, and Mullins and Sullivan each finished the night with two hits. Matt Perrone singled in the third and Nate Dreesman singled in the fifth.

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