Willow Glen Resident
Sports
Russo leads Lincoln Glen to 'star win
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.
Lincoln Glen was able to end its season on a high note with the win over Branham. Lincoln Glen actually trailed for the majority of the game. Branham Hills took a 3-2 lead after an inning, and while Lincoln Glen came back and scored three in the top of the second, Branham answered with four more.
Trailing 8-6, Lincoln Glen finally took the lead from Branham in the top of the fifth with a four-run inning and added a six spot in the sixth.
Lincoln Glen rallied with two outs in the top of the fifth to score all four runs. With two outs and Jordan Milligan on first after a fielder's choice had forced Joseph Cahn at second after a walk, Nick Bellafronto smashed a double that drove in Milligan and started the rally. Jake Feinman was hit by a pitch and Joseph Russo cleared the bases with a double.
Matthew Oliverio reached on an error which allowed Russo to take third. With runners at the corners, Jacob Holder smacked a double that scored Russo.
Lincoln Glen started off the sixth with three straight walks from Patrick Leahey, Cahn and Milligan. Bellafronto reached when his fly ball to center was dropped, allowing Leahey to score. Feinman belted a single that drove in Cahn and Milligan and then Russo roped a double that scored Bellafronto, but Feinman was caught at third.
With two outs, Holder reached on an error that was able to score Russo, and Nick Lion made it to first on another error that allowed Holder to come around and score.
Russo swung a big bat for Lincoln Glen, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, two runs scored and four RBIs. Feinman went 2 for 2 with a run scored and three knocked in. Bellafronto was 2 for 5 with a double, three runs scored and three driven in. Milligan also had a good day at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI. Holder was doubled, scored a run and knocked one in. Bobby Sapien singled and scored a run, while Oliverio singled and drove one in.
Lincoln Glen's second loss of the tournament came to Almaden South on June 29, 5-1. Milligan had a great day at the plate despite the loss. Milligan was 3 for 3 with a double and the only run scored on the day. Bellafronto went 2 for 3 and Russo, Leahey, Gabe Harlan and Feinman all had hits.
Lincoln Glen also lost to Willow Glen 7-5 on June 24 and defeated Saratoga 9-8 on June 23.
The members of the Lincoln Glen team included Bellafonto, Cahn, Mitch Cunningham, Nick Dotzler, Feinman, Cary Hammet, Harlan, Holder, Leahey, Nick Lion, Milligan, Oliverio, Russo and Sapien.
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. Riley Preston got the only hit for Willow Glen.
Willow Glen beat Branham Hills 13-9 on June 30 with Thomas Nazarenus carrying the offense. Nazarenus went 3 for 3 with two doubles, a triple and two runs scored in the win. Bryan McHugh belted out three hits, Joseph Goodo went 2 for 2 with a double and a run, Hayley Halkovic was 2 for 3 with a run scored and Joseph Garcia, Preston and Brandon Gillingham each had a hit and two runs scored.
Willow Glen also finished pool play 3-1, but didn't have enough runs to top Saratoga in the tiebreaker. Willow Glen also downed San Jose American 12-10 on June 26 and beat Lincoln Glen 7-5 on June 24.
The members of the Willow Glen team included John Ahrens, Will Brennan, Cody Buchanan, Garcia, Gillingham, Goodo, Halkovic, Saul Leon, McHugh, Nazarenus, Preston and Nathan Rooke.
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.
