Saratoga News

The Angels won the Saratoga Little League AAA division title and reached the finals of the District 12 TOC. Members of the Saratoga championship team included Willy Burns, Matthew Evans, Chandler Galt, Evan Galt, Eric Geibel, Vince Grosso, Kevin Kaiser, Sean Kovacs, John Liccardo, Ryan Matsuura, Jason Mighboll and Marc Schumacher.

'Dream season' for the Angels

Saratoga champs reach TOC finals

By Dick Sparrer

It was one those years for the Angels of the Saratoga Little League AAA division.

In fact, it was such a good year, manager Fritz Geibel is almost sorry it's over.

"It was really a dream season," said Geibel, who took his Angels to the Saratoga Little League championship and then to the finals of the District 12 Tournament of Champions.

The Angels won 21 straight games before losing a one-run decision to host Quito in the TOC finals.

"It was really a thrill," said Geibel of playing for the district championship.

The Angels posted an 18-0 record to win the Saratoga Little League title, then opened the 10-team TOC with three straight wins. Saratoga beat Branham Hills, Los Gatos and Almaden to get to the finals. Two of the wins came after come-from-behind rallies in the sixth, one of them with two outs.

The Angels came up a run short in the title game, though, losing 12-11 to Quito.

"This season was filled with some special memories that we will all take with us," added Geibel. "We learned about teamwork, commitment and other values that carry over into all aspects of life."

"We won because we worked hard and worked together," said coach Art Burns. "Our kids weren't afraid to make mistakes, because they knew that they had someone to back them up."

Members of the Saratoga championship team included Willy Burns, Matthew Evans, Chandler Galt, Evan Galt, Eric Geibel, Vince Grosso, Kevin Kaiser, Sean Kovacs, John Liccardo, Ryan Matsuura, Jason Mighboll and Marc Schumacher.

Coach Ron Matsuura added, "The Angels' record reflects the type of dedication, focus and self-discipline necessary, by the kids and coaches alike, to be successful and have fun."

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