Saratoga had won by the 10-run rule in every game but one entering the final round of the playoffs. But there was nothing easy about this win. Saratoga faced a tough Almaden squad that wanted nothing more than to knock off the top Saratoga team.

Until the top of the fifth, Saratoga had actually been trailing Almaden 4-3, but the fifth changed that. Neil Bruner led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a line shot over first base by Kia Fariba. With runners at the corners, Matt Escobar made his presence known with three-bagger that scored both Bruner and Fariba, giving Saratoga the lead 5-4. The locals would hold onto this lead to win the game.

The other runs came in the top of the first with Colin Johnson blasting a double up the middle to lead off the inning, then later moved to third on a wild pitch. Georgie Ellenikiotis joined him on base when he was struck by a pitch. Sumner Vogel grounded out to second base, but it was enough to get the RBI when Johnson scored. With Ellenikiotis on second and one out, Bruner drew a walk and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. A few pitches later, Ellenikiotis scored on a wild throw from the Almaden pitcher and Bruner moved to third. Fariba would draw a walk, followed by Will Dennis who also got a free ride to first. Bruner would score on a wild pitch and Kai Kirk would reach on a walk as well before Almaden could finally end the first.

Bruner stood with authority atop the hill for Saratoga, striking out eight batters in the game and adding yet another win to his statistics for the tournament.

Saratoga had faced Los Gatos National the day before and came away with an 8-1 victory. Ellenikiotis' bat was on fire that day, with a single, a double and two runs scored. Fariba also doubled while Shane Smith knocked a single and scored a run. Vogel singled and came home twice, with Tyler Borch knocking a single and Johnson scoring a run. Bruner also scored two runs in the win.

The other members of the team included Will Dennis, Kyle Penuen and Troy Doles.

This group of Saratoga all-stars has now won District 12 titles three years in a row now--as 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and now 10-year-olds. They continued this year to the sectionals, where they were to face Santa Clara Westside of District 44 on July 17.

Quito did not fare as well as Saratoga in the 10-year-old all-star tournament. Quito lost three of their four pool play games, with their only win coming over Willow Glen 5-4 on July 3. Quito dropped games to Almaden South, Los Gatos National and Almaden North.

11-year-olds fall

The Saratoga 11-year-old all-stars lost 6-3 to Lincoln Glen in the finals of the District 12 tournament.

Saratoga actually jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Andrew Barna led off the inning by ripping a single. Tim Lycurgus laid down what was intended to be a sacrifice bunt but it was perfectly placed and all runners were safe. Brandon Morales followed with an infield hit and suddenly Saratoga was in business with the bases loaded with no outs.

Greg Johnson came through with a sharp single up the middle to drive in one run and Ricky Ramirez lifted a sacrifice fly to center field for another one before Lincoln Glen got out of the jam with a strikeout to end the inning.

But Lincoln Glen evened things up in the fourth, but once again Saratoga went up by a run. With one out in the fifth, Lycurgus, Kevin Smith and Johnson got successive hits to load the bases. Ramirez sent a bouncer up the middle that glanced off the glove of the shortstop and rolled into center field, allowing one run to come in to make it 3-2.

But Lincoln Glen battled from behind in the late innings to get the win and the championship.

Ramirez put forth a good effort on the mound for Saratoga, going 4 2/3 innings and giving up only one hit. Dillan Pak came on to finish the final 1 1/3 innings and shut down the Lincoln Glen batters. Saratoga shortstop Morales pulled off a defensive gem when he fielded a sharp ground ball near second, stepped on the bag and fired to first to complete a double play.

Saratoga got past Almaden North 10-0 in a semi-final match-up that was marred by seven errors by Almaden. Morales was on the hill for all six innings for Saratoga, getting the shutout and fanning three. Saratoga batted around in the second to put three runs on the board. The key hits were singles by Jake Graham, Lycurgus, Johnson and Will McKiernan.

Saratoga put the game on ice with five runs in the fourth. The damage came with two outs on solid singles by Tyler Winningham and Barna.