Gatos 'stars win sectional
Wilkerson leads LG to win in finals
By Dick Sparrer
Woody Wilkerson picked the perfect time to have his best game of the Little League post-season.
Wilkerson tossed a one-hit shutout and he also blasted two home runs in a 12-0 win over Almaden last week--in the championship game of the 11-year-old sectional tournament.
"Woody absolutely carried us in that game," said Gatos manager Bob Moore after the lopsided victory.
Wilkerson's performance helped Los Gatos to its second straight win over Almaden, a feat unmatched in previous seasons by this Los Gatos squad.
"We had lost every single year in the [district] finals to Almaden," said Moore.
Los Gatos lost to Almaden in the District 12 finals again this season, but advanced to the sectionals as the second-place team from the district. Gatos lost 7-3 to Almaden midway through the section tournament, too, but fought back through the loser's bracket to win the tourney crown, beating Almaden 11-1 and 12-0 on back-to-back days.
"It's amazing how far these guys have come in seven weeks," said Moore of his championship crew.
Los Gatos pitchers put together three consecutive complete game performances to clinch the sectional title. Bricklin Foley went the distance in an 8-3 win over Capitola, Matt Ellis went all the way in the 11-1 win over Almaden and Wilkerson blanked Almaden 12-0 in the decider.
Wilkerson gave up just a bunt single in his impressive outing against Almaden in the title game. He struck out six and walked just one as he faced just two batters over the minimum.
As impressive as he was on the mound, though, he was equally as impressive with a bat in his hands. Wilkerson blasted a two-run home run in the fourth inning and came back with a three-run homer in the fifth. He ripped six round-trippers in the post-season for Los Gatos.
Noah Henry and Mitch Benedetti supported with two hits apiece in the championship win. Ellis doubled home a run, Colby Moore ripped a double and Foley singled. Tim Sweeney, called up for the title game by Los Gatos to fill a vacancy on the roster, came on as a pinch runner and scored a run.
The coach also praised the work of first baseman Kyle Blair for his defensive performance in the win.
A game earlier, Ellis fired a four-hitter to lead Los Gatos to an important 11-1 win over Almaden. Ellis struck out four and walked no one in the game.
Gatos staked Ellis to an early lead with a seven-run rally in the first inning. Steven Stege ripped a lead-off double over the left fielder's head and scored on a double by Will Kapp. Gatos went on to bat around before Almaden finally retired the local kids five batters into the second round.
"That really put them away and got us relaxed," said Moore of the early rally.
Stege doubled and singled twice to lead the club offensively. Henry had two hits, Benedetti doubled home two runs, Kapp doubled in a run and Ellis singled a run home. Foley and Sean Wasserman also singled in the win.
Los Gatos opened the week with a solid 8-3 win over Capitola. Foley whirled a three-hitter for the win, striking out five and allowing no earned runs.
Wilkerson had the hot bat for Gatos, ripping a two-run homer and a single in the win.
Moore doubled and singled to drive in two runs and Stege doubled and singled to knock in one. Benedetti blasted a two-run triple and Henry added a single.
Second baseman Ben Hintz came through with a couple of outstanding defensive plays, including a diving stop up the middle.
"He dove up the middle--I mean, he got horizontal--and he threw the guy out at first," said Moore.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
The Los Gatos Little League 11-year-old all-stars won the section championship with back-to-back wins over Almaden last week. This Los Gatos player is safe at first in an 8-3 win over Capitola to open the week.
