Saratoga News

The Saratoga Little League 11-year-old all-star team won the District 12 championship and went on to the Section tournament. Members of the team were Peter Rutti, Tyler Rothenberg, Ben Coggins, Adam Sato, Chris Charles, Stephen Scordelis, Jon Durket, Philip Spencer, Kyle Stoffers, Danny Bragonier, Jeff Lyu and Michael Sabes.

Saratoga falls at sectionals

But only after local 11-year-old all-stars win district title

By Dick Sparrer

The Saratoga 11-year-old all-stars made a little Saratoga Little League history this summer when they won a district championship.

The young Saratoga 'stars became the first team in the history of the league to win a crown at that level when they defeated Almaden 9-8 in the District 12 championship game.

With the win, Saratoga advanced to the Section 5 tournament hosted by District 44 at the San Jose American Little League home field.

The tournament featured the top two teams from four different districts-- Saratoga and Almaden from District 12, Evergreen and Eastridge from District 59, Hollister National and Hollister American from District 9, and Campbell and Cupertino National from District 44.

Saratoga opened the tourney with a 6-1 loss to Evergreen, then the locals were eliminated in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Hollister American.

Saratoga's Stephen Scordelis ripped a pair of singles and Peter Rutti struck out six of the Evergreen hitters, but Saratoga lost its Section 5 opener 6-1 to the club from District 59.

Evergreen pitchers combined to strike out 12 Saratoga hitters in the game. Saratoga could manage just four hits in the loss.

The clubs battled through a scoreless tie for three innings before Evergreen scored a run in the fourth to take the lead. The winners took command of the game with a four-run rally in the fifth.

Saratoga broke up Evergreen's bid for a shutout with a single run in the sixth.

The locals gave the Hollister American all-stars all they could handle a game later before losing a 2-1 heartbreaker.

Jon Durket ripped a pair of hits and scored Saratoga's only run of the game. He also tossed a two-hitter, striking out seven along the way.

Saratoga actually outhit Hollister 4-2 in the game, and the locals jumped out to a quick lead when Durket scored a run in the first.

But American picked up a run in the second to tie it, then scored again in the sixth to claim the win.

The 11-year-old stars earned their place in the Section 5 with a championship showing at the District 12 tournament.

Saratoga opened the tourney with a lopsided 13-0 win over Almaden, then beat Los Gatos 9-5, Branham Hills 6-3 and Cambrian 12-10 to move into the finals. They clinched the crown with the 9-8 win over Almaden in seven innings.

Members of the Saratoga Little League District 12 championship 11-year-old all-star team were Peter Rutti, Tyler Rothenberg, Ben Coggins, Adam Sato, Chris Charles, Stephen Scordelis, Jon Durket, Philip Spencer, Kyle Stoffers, Danny Bragonier, Jeff Lyu and Michael Sabes.

Yanks win major title

The Yankees won the major-division title in the Saratoga Little League regular season and advanced to the District 12 Tournament of Champions.

Saratoga opened the postseason with a 9-1 win over the American Cardinals before losing.

Paul Culbertson and Chris Hornberger teamed to toss Saratoga to the first-round victory. Culbertson struck out three over the first three innings for the locals, and Hornberger finished up with three innings of scoreless relief. Hornberger struck out six in his three innings of work.

Chris Rogan and Rutti led the bat attack for Saratoga. Rutti was three-for-four with a triple and Rogan was three-for-three with a double. Andrew Rogan singled and doubled.

Rogan created quite a stir when he bunted for a single, then raced all the way around to score when the throw flew down the right-field line.

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