Lopez twirled a no-hit, no-run gem against the Cupertino American Typhoons on June 18, leading the Sunnyvale National Bandits to a 7-0 victory and the District 44 crown. She struck out 11 Typhoons and walked five.

It was the second stellar effort by a Bandits pitcher during the four-team, single-elimination event at Ortega Park. Corina Rios had recorded 14 strikeouts while shutting out the Sunnyvale Metro Eagles 11-0 in the semifinals.

Nicole Arevalo led the batting attack against the Metro Eagles, banging out three hits and scoring three runs. Cristina Lopez (two hits), Christina Meneses (three RBIs) and Arevalo (two runs) were the Bandits' offensive leaders in the title game.

Chrissy Montez, Shyanne Rodriguez, Treasure Rodriguez, Reanne Flores, Doreen Chan, Jessica Holmes and Jillian Gerrity all contributed to the Bandits championship season. The Bandits' manager was Sharon Zolezzi. Coaches were Michael Arevalo and Debbie Greenberg.

The Cupertino American Typhoons reached the championship game by romping past the Sunnyvale Southern Jaguars 15-3 in the semi-finals, a game ended by 10-run rule after four innings. A 12-run second inning put the game out of reach.

Katie Thurman was the Typhoons top hitter in the win with a triple, double and single. Grace Mercado and Maija Granfors provided a defensive highlight when they combined for a double play. Winning pitcher Ana Ficovich sailed through the first three innings without allowing a hit, before the Jaguars rallied for three runs in the last inning.

Six Bandits players will represent Sunnyvale National in the Major Softball All-Star Tournament, which begins July 6 at Ortega Park. Arevalo, Meneses, Montez, Rios, C. Lopez and J. Lopez comprise half of the team. They will be joined by Rosebuds Christine Lozano, Stacy Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor DeSilva, Malyka Pettigrue and Celine Kealiinohomoku.

Mike DeSilva is the manager of the major all-stars, and M. Arevalo and Martin Lozano are the coaches.

All-Star Day set

Although the San Jose Giants will have the day off on June 24, their home will not be vacant.

In fact, a packed house is likely when more than 800 baseball and softball players from 14 leagues will converge at San Jose Municipal Stadium for District 44 Little League All-Star Day.

All-star teams representing five baseball divisions and four softball brackets will be acknowledged at the event, an annual affair that officially kicks off the all-star tournament season. The ceremonies begin at 5:30 p.m. San Jose Muni is located at Senter Road and Alma Avenue, one block east of Spartan Stadium.

The 9-10 and major division baseball tournaments begin on June 26. The junior and 11-year-old baseball tourneys begin the following week. Senior baseball and all softball divisions will conduct their tournaments after the Fourth of July.

Member leagues of District 44 include Mountain View, Campbell, Moreland, Cupertino American, Tri-Cities, Cupertino National, Sunnyvale Serra, Sunnyvale Metro, Sunnyvale Southern, Sunnyvale National, Briarwood-El Camino, Los Altos, Santa Clara Westside and Santa Clara Homestead.