This group of Lincoln Glen standouts did not win a postseason contest as 11-year-olds and 12-year-olds, according to manager Doug Yoder. That fact did not seem to bother them as they battled their way to four victories and a District 12 championship.

Lincoln Glen opened the tournament in fine style, squeezing by Almaden North 5-4 and rocking a combined team from Willow Glen and Cambrian 16-1. But after stumbling in its next game, 14-7 against Branham Hills, the Lincoln Glen all-stars' backs were against the wall in the double-elimination format.

Lincoln Glen rebounded with a 10-7 elimination-game win over Almaden North, then captured the championship with a 19-4 pounding of Almaden South.

In the championship match-up, Lincoln Glen worked its way to a 6-4 lead during the first three innings. At that point Almaden South just ran out of pitching. Lincoln Glen took advantage, putting the game out of reach with nine hits and 13 runs in the fourth inning.

Leading the charge during the decisive fourth was Joe McCabe, who blasted two doubles. Grant Padia and Nathan Kadlecek also doubled during the inning. Phil Marrone, James Luna, Scott Arioto, Craig Reynolds, Michael Fahey and Marcus Findeisen contributed singles to the barrage.

McCabe was the winning pitcher, working the first four innings, and James Yoder pitched the fifth.

McCabe also was the winning pitcher in the tourney opener against Almaden North, hurling a complete game.

The game went back and forth and was tied 4-4 after six innings, before Lincoln Glen rallied for the game-winner in the top of the seventh. Padia reached base with a one-out walk and scored on Bryce Carolan's clutch two-out double.

In the romp over Willow Glen/Cambrian, Lincoln Glen put 10 runs on the board in the first inning and never looked back.

The highlight was Kadlecek's inside-the-park home run,a shot over the right fielder's head. Padia's hits led the hit parade with four. Kadlecek hammered out three, including the homer. Marrone pitched all four innings of the shortened game to get the win.

In the loss to Branham Hills, Lincoln Glen continued to hit the ball well. Kadlecek pounded out three singles, with Marrone and Carolan adding two each. The hits just did not come at the right time to produce the needed runs.

The loss put the locals in a must-win situation in the rematch with Almaden North

Facing a 7-3 deficit headed into its final at bat, Lincoln Glen went to work. Singles by Padia, Findeisen and Kadlecek and a double by Marrone, combined with four walks and an error, produced seven runs and the lead. Lincoln Glen then shut down Almaden North in the bottom of the seventh, earning a spot in the championship game.

Sean Foote and Robbie Miller were other contributors to Lincoln Glen's championship run.

A great team effort was needed to claim the championship, with every player making contributions, Yoder said.