Saratoga News

Sports

Saratoga 10-year-old all-stars come close but fall to Hollister in Section 5 title game

By Kevin Sparrer

In any tournament, only one team can end up on a winning note, and in the Section 5 10-year-old tournament the Saratoga all-stars came very close to being that team.

After winning the District 12 tournament, Saratoga advanced to sectionals. A loss to Hollister in their second game sent the Saratoga kids to the losers bracket where they battled to stay alive and go all the way to the championship game against Hollister again at the Hollister Little League field.

Saratoga won its first contest with Hollister to force the "if necessary game" but ultimately lost in a close 5-4 game in the finals.

Drew Kriens was on the mound for 'Toga and pitched well against a team with powerful bats. Andrew Harter came on in relief late in the game. Both pitchers helped their own effort offensively with a single apiece.

Hollister led 5-1 going into the bottom of the sixth, but Saratoga wouldn't go quietly. Andrew Carter drew a walk before Tyler Plesse smacked a double to right center, scoring Carter. Plesse was caught trying to stretch his double into a triple for the first out of the inning.

Kriens and Joey Medeiros both reached base before Andrew Ferguson blasted a two-strike pitch over the wall and off the scoreboard for a three-run homer. Hollister was able to end the inning shortly thereafter, but it was a close call.

"I have never been more proud of a team before," said Saratoga manager Sheldon Carter.

In the first championship game, Saratoga defeated Hollister 9-0 with Plesse on the mound, allowing only one hit. Harter came on to close the game.

"There was never any doubt in this one," said the manager. "We were pumped up after barely losing to them the first time."

Ferguson and Medeiros each had two hits in the win, while Carter smacked a double and Plesse and Harter both singled.

"We played a great game defensively, especially our outfield," added Carter.

In the semi-final round of the tournament, Saratoga defeated Santa Clara Westside 4-3 despite going through two pitchers in the first two innings. Carter took over in the second and faced 18 batters, striking out nine, including the last out of the game.

All four of Santa Clara's runs were scored in the first two innings.

"They had a great battle under pressure," said the manager. "Lose and we were out. But Carter pitched an incredible game in the win."

At the plate, both Carter and Harter had two hits, Plesse knocked a double and Kriens and Ferguson each had hits and drove in two runs apiece.

The first loss for Saratoga came against Hollister 6-5, despite Medeiros blasting a home run and a single. Plesse and Carter both had two hits as well and Kriens had one. Kriens also was on the mound for the majority of the game with Harter finishing.

Saratoga crushed Capitola Soquel in the first game 11-1 with Carter driving in four runs. Plesse smashed one over the wall and drove in two, Harter had two RBIs and Ferguson and Medeiros each drove in one. Carter and Kriens each doubled in the win.