The core of this Saratoga team has won the District 12 baseball all-star tournament as 8-year-olds, 9s and 10s, and the local club is fighting for another championship as 11-year-olds.

Saratoga finished pool play with a 4-0 record, having defeated Almaden North 5-2, Willow Glen 5-2 and Lincoln Glen 8-5 before finishing out with a 13-1 win over San Jose American on July 9.

"In a close game these guys are able to overcome adversity," said Saratoga manager Mike Bruner. "Pitchers don't hang their heads--these are all tough players."

Saratoga was entering the finals of the tournament with a good deal of momentum after its win over San Jose American. Saratoga jumped out to a commanding lead in the top of the first, scoring seven runs on six hits.

Colin Johnson led off the game for Saratoga with a home run to straight-away centerfield. Georgie Ellenikiotis reached on an error by the shortstop and went to third on a double by Neil Bruner. With two runners in scoring position, Kia Fariba smashed a double to drive in two runs and Greg Kenter ripped a double to score Fariba.

Troy Dales flew out to right for the first out of the inning, but Dominic Guercio ripped a base knock to keep the rally going, scoring Kenter. Michael Lauck moved up Guercio when he reached on an error and then both runners moved up on another error by San Jose American. Guercio scored on a wild pitch and Lauck advanced to third and then came home on another wild pitch.

Sumner Vogel reached on a walk and went around to third on a double by Johnson. Ellenikiotis walked to load the bases, but San Jose American was able to get out of the inning without any more runs being scored.

Saratoga scored three more in the top of the third after Vogel led off the inning with a base hit to right. Vogel moved to third when Johnson ripped a single through the left side and Ellenikiotis loaded the bases when he drew a walk. Bruner went down on strikes for the first out of the inning but Fariba drew a walk to force in Vogel. With the bases still loaded, Will Dennis blasted a double off the wall in left center that scored both Johnson and Ellenikiotis. With runners on second and third, David Eng hit a ground ball to first, where the first baseman stepped on the bag and threw to the plate to get Fariba trying to score for the third out of the inning.

Saratoga scored two more in the top of the fourth when Greg Kenter hit a ground ball through the left side to start off the inning. Lauck struck out and Vogel hit a short pop up to the pitcher that landed for a base hit and advanced Eng--a pinch runner for Kenter--to second. After a fly out to right by Johnson that was deep enough to advance both runners, Ellenikiotis ripped a single off the wall in center that score both Eng and Vogel.

Their only other run came in the top of the second when, with two outs, Eng reached on an error. Troy Doles pinch ran for him and went to second almost immediately on a wild pitch. Doles scored a few pitches later on a base knock by Dominic Guercio.

Earlier in the week, Saratoga faced the always dangerous Almaden North team but was able to come away with a 5-2 victory. Kai Kirk went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a stolen base in the win. Johnson was 2 for 4 with a triple, a run driven in and a stolen base. Guercio was singled and knocked in a run, and Vogel had a hit. Bruner also drove in a run.

Saratoga beat Willow Glen 5-2 in its second game in pool play. Ellenikiotis went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, Fariba was 2 for 3 with an RBI and Vogel doubled.

Saratoga's third game of the week was an 8-5 win over Lincoln Glen. Bruner went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, but it was Fariba who swung the big bat with a long blast into the trees over the left field wall. Fariba was 2 for 2 with five RBIs and Ellenikiotis was 2 for 2 with an RBI. Dennis, Kenter and Johnson each singled.

Saratoga was to go on to the first round of the playoffs on July 11 against Cambrian and the winner of that game will play in the championship game on July 12, 5:30 p.m. against the Union-Branham Hills winner.

Quito falls

The Quito Little League 11-year-old all-stars lost 19-6 to Almaden South last Saturday to finish the tournament winless in four games.

Almaden held Quito scoreless in the first two innings, but Quito got a jumpstart in the third after hurler Trevor Ross struck out the side in the top of the inning. His team responded with a four-run effort to bring the score to 7-4.

Ian Gray belted the key hit, blasting a double to centerfield with Aaron Newman and Yamato Villesenor on base. Gray would eventually score, as would Casey Mintz after a big hit from Grant Brownfield.

Almaden scored only once in the fourth inning, as Quito shortstop Brian Tashjian threw a laser home to stop Michael Chang from scoring.

Though Quito added another run in the bottom of the fifth--Mintz walked, then scored when Nicky Wahl put a ball in play--nothing could have prepared the team for the sixth inning when Almaden batted around.

Mintz finally made the catch that ended the inning for Quito, chasing down a deep shot and reeling it in. Quito added one more run in the bottom of the sixth, but Almaden's 19 runs were out of reach.

Quito's all-stars were Brian Tashjian, Aaron Newman, Yamato Villesenor, Ian Gray, Trevor Ross, Casey Mintz, Nikhil Patel, John Patterson, Nicky Wahl, Grant Brownfield and Eugene Clark.

12-year-old all-stars

The Saratoga major division all-star team opened play last weekend with a victory over Los Gatos American at Congress Springs Park.

Saratoga was to face Quito on Monday and will meet Branham Hills on July 15, 5:30 p.m., and Cambrian Park on July 16, 12:30 p.m., to close out pool play.

Quito, a first round loser to Cambrian Park, will face Lincoln Glen on July 13, 5:30 p.m., and Branham Hills on July 16, 3 p.m., to finish pool play.

The top two teams in each pool will advance to the tournament semifinals on July 18 with the championship game to be played on July 20. Both games will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Tournament standings through the first weekend of play follow: North Pool--Almaden South 1-0, Union 1-0, Almaden North 1-1, Los Gatos National 1-1, San Jose American 0-1, Willow Glen 0-1; South Pool--Branham Hills 1-0, Quito 1-0, Saratoga 1-0, Cambrian Park 1-1, Los Gatos American 0-1, Lincoln Glen 0-2.

Jessica Peters contributed to this story.