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Photograph by Zach Beecher

Saratoga's Andrew Harter slides into home plate safely with a run in his club's 14-2 win over San Jose American. The Saratoga 9-year-old all-stars posted a 3-1 record to the advance to the semifinals of the District 12 tournament.

Saratoga 9's in District 12 semifinals

Quito, two Almaden teams also advance

By Kevin Sparrer

Sometimes a win just isn't enough. At least, that was the case for the Lincoln Glen Little League 9-year-old all-stars on July 1.

Despite a big 16-10 win over Branham Hills in the final game of four in the north pool of the District 12 tournament, Lincoln Glen was not able to advance to the final round. Lincoln Glen ended pool play 2-2, which was not enough to steal a spot in the finals from Almaden South (3-1) or Saratoga (3-1).

Almaden South and Saratoga advanced out of their pool to the tourney semifinals on July 3. Almaden was to face Quito (2-2 in south pool play) and Saratoga was to meet Almaden North (4-0). The winners of the two games play for the district championship on July 5, 5:30 p.m., at Quito's home at Rolling Hills Middle School.

North Pool

Lincoln Glen was able to end its season on a high note with the win over Branham. Lincoln Glen's final loss of the tournament came to Almaden South on June 29, 5-1.

Lincoln Glen also lost to Willow Glen 7-5 on June 24 and defeated Saratoga 9-8 on June 23.

Almaden South finished pool play at 3-1. South's final win came over San Jose American on July 1, 6-0. Almaden South also beat Branham Hills 6-5 on June 27 and had its only loss to Saratoga 13-1 on June 24.

Saratoga is the other team from the north pool continuing on to the semifinals. Saratoga lost only one game in pool play to finish 3-1. Their final win came over Willow Glen 16-0 on July 1. The big story of the game was the first inning when 11 batters in a row scored for Saratoga before an out was recorded. There were 15 hitters in the inning.

Andrew Carter and Andrew Chen combined pitching duties for a 1-hitter. Andrew Harter was 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored; Carter tripled and scored three times; Tyler Plesse was 2 for 2 with a double and two runs; Andre Ferguson was 2 for 3 with a double, a triple and two runs; Joey Medeiros was doubled and scored two runs; Drew Keyes was singled and scored; and Jonathan Keyes doubled and scored. Chen and Derek Sun each added a run scored.

Saratoga defeated San Jose American 14-2 on June 28, bested Almaden South 13-1 on June 24 and had its only loss to Lincoln Glen on June 23, 9-8.

South Pool

In the south pool, it was all Almaden North. Almaden was the only team in the tournament to remain undefeated.

Almaden's final win came over Los Gatos American on July 1, 11-4. Almaden North also defeated Los Gatos National 18-4 on June 28, Cambrian 6-0 on June 26 and Union 3-2 on June 24.

Quito found its way into the semifinals of the tournament after a win on July 1 against Union 11-4.

Parker Whims went 2 for 3 in the win for Quito, while Seth Spina, Mitch Sancier, Bobby Maldonado and Zach Gustlin each went 2 for 4. Bryce Ogata singled and scored three runs and Hans Hesse doubled. Maldonado scored twice.

Kyle Anderson was the big hitter for Union, going 4 for 4 and scoring twice. Chris Norman slammed out a double, a single and scored once in the loss, while Kyle Mora went 2 for 4 and Chris Davis and Oscar DeJung each had one hit.

Quito finished pool play 2-2 after losing to Los Gatos American 2-0 on June 29. It defeated Cambrian Park 9-1 on June 24 and lost to Los Gatos National 6-4 on June 23.

The members of the Quito team include Mason Berry, Scott Deppmeier, Gustlin, Hesse, Aakash Ingram, Maldonado, Ogata, Sancier, Whims, Spina and Adam Wong.

All-star tournaments

The players ages 9-10 opened all-star action on June 29 with games at the Los Gatos and Cambrian Park fields. The tourney runs through July 12 when the championship game will be played at 5:30 p.m. at Cambrian Park.

Match-ups this week include: July 5, 5:30 p.m.--Union-Quito, Willow Glen-Cambrian Park; July 6, 5:30 p.m.--Branham Hills-Lincoln Glen, Los Gatos National-Almaden South; July 7, 5:30 p.m.--Almaden North-LG American, Saratoga-SJ American; July 8--Quito-Lincoln Glen, Willow Glen-LG National, 10 a.m.; Almaden North-Branham Hills, SJ American-Almaden South, 12:30 p.m.; LG American-Union, Cambrian Park-Saratoga, 3 p.m.

Lincoln Glen is hosting the 10-11 tourney that opened June 29 and runs through July 11, 5:30 p.m.

Match-ups this week include: July 5, 5:30 p.m.--LG American-Cambrian Park, Lincoln Glen-Branham Hills; July 6, 5:30 p.m.--Almaden North-SJ American, Almaden South-LG National; July 7, 5:30 p.m.--Quito-Willow Glen, Saratoga-Union; July 8--LG American-SJ American, Lincoln Glen-LG National, 10 a.m.; Quito-Almaden North, Almaden South-Union, 12:30 p.m.; Willow Glen-Cambrian Park, Saratoga-Branham Hills, 3 p.m.

The major division tournament gets under way on July 7 at the Branham Hills Little League field.

In first round games on Friday, Cambrian Park collides with Union and Lincoln Glen faces Saratoga at 5:30 p.m. A full slate of games is on tap for Saturday: Quito-LG American, Willow Glen-Branham Hills, 10 a.m.; Almaden North-Union, Almaden South-Saratoga, 12:30 p.m.; Cambrian Park-LG National, Lincoln Glen-SJ American, 3 p.m.

In 5:30 p.m. weeknight games it's LG National-Quito and SJ American-Willow Glen on July 10, Almaden North-LG American and Almaden South-Branham Hills on July 11 and LG National-Union and SJ American-Saratoga on July 12.