Photograph by Mark Kocina
Slugging Vinnie Calorio, taking a mighty cut in all-star play, was a big hitter for the Blue Jays in their bid for a District 12 TOC crown.
Saratoga wins District 12 TOC
Blue Jays shut out Gatos 6-0 in final
By Dick Sparrer
It may have happened before ... but if it did, it was long enough ago that no one really remembers.
It happened this year, though. Because when the Saratoga Blue Jays defeated Los Gatos 6-0 in the finals of the District 12 minor division Tournament of Champions, they won what most agree is the first district TOC crown in Saratoga Little League history.
The Blue Jays, who won the Saratoga AAA division championship with a thrilling extra-inning win over the Yankees, beat Cambrian Park 7-6 in extra innings, Lincoln Glen 9-3 and Los Gatos 9-3 to claim the TOC crown in the tournament played at the Branham Hills complex.
Greg Metz and Jason Chang were the batting stars in the championship win, and Chang also pitched well for the Jays.
Outfielder Nevin Gaudreau came through with the defensive gem of the night with a running, over-the-shoulder catch, and team captain Peter McPartlan came through with a clutch catch for the final out of the game.
Photograph by Mark Kocina
Saratoga's Peter McPartlan, pitching for the league's 10-year-old all-star team, was a key player for the Blue Jays, who won the district minor division TOC.
Andy Lonich and Michael Beam were defensive standouts in the outfield and catcher Matt Keating and shortstop Vinnie Calorio also starred for the Blue Jays in the 9-3 win over Lincoln Glen in the semifinals.
Saratoga won a thriller in the first round of the tournament, tying the game in the final inning and winning it in the seventh.
Cullen Bowen stepped to the plate with two out and his club down by two runs in the final inning. He came through with a hit to knock in two runs to tie the game.
Eric Bruner raced home with the game winning run in the seventh, and the Blue Jays were on their way in the TOC.
Kevin McPartlan was the manager of the championship club and Bruce Bowen was his coach.
All-stars
The Saratoga Little League all-star teams have fallen out of the District 12 tournament in three divisions.
The major division 'stars opened with a win over Union, but then lost back-to-back games to Almaden and American to face elimination.
In the 11-year-old division, Saratoga lost two straight to Branham and Quito to drop out of the tourney.
The 10-year-old all-stars lost their first game to Almaden No. 1, but came back with wins over Branham No. 2 and Almaden No. 2 before losing 13-9 to Union last week.
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