Willow Glen Resident

Sports

Lincoln Glen junior 'stars advance to regionals

By Kevin Sparrer

If there was ever any question who the best baseball team in California is, there is finally an answer.

The Lincoln Glen Little League junior division all-star team has proven itself by winning the Division 2 all-star tournament, which includes teams from all over the state. After winning the title, the team went on to the next tournament in Beaverton, Ore., where it was to face Arizona in the first round on July 31.

Possibly Lincoln Glen's most important and impressive win came in the second championship game of the Division 2 tournament. After losing to Rockland 17-9 in the first game on July 27, Lincoln Glen bounced back to defeat the same Rockland club 11-1 in five innings on July 28.

Matt Glomb stood atop the mound and allowed only one hit and one run in all five innings. He struck out four. Glomb also helped himself at the plate by knocking three hits, including a double.

Along with Glomb, John Riley also had three hits, including a double, and he drove in three runs. Jake Wilson knocked two hits, with a triple, and Jason De La Rocha came off the bench with an RBI single. Andrew Caselegno came in to pinch hit and knocked a single that drove in two. Kyle Ray also had a double with two RBIs.

"This was a team effort," said Lincoln Glen head coach Chris Glomb. "We don't really have a star. It's always been a different kid who has stepped up. K.C. Sullivan had played some great defense, and Ryan Morfin did a great job behind the plate for the whole game.

"We have had six different pitchers who have been very effective for us, and they work hard and haven't given up," he added.

Lincoln Glen proved its tenacity against Santa Clara Westside in the semifinal round of the Division 2 tournament on July 25. Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, Lincoln Glen came from behind to take the win 5-4 and advance to the finals.

"The win over Westside was kind of a defining moment for our team," said the coach.

Prior to the game with Westside, Lincoln Glen had defeated Turlock 5-4 on July 22 and South Oakland 13-7 on July 21.

In fact, the Division 2 event was the third tournament that Lincoln Glen had played in. The locals had also won the sectional title and the District 12 crown, beating rival Almaden 5-2 to take the championship.

"Will Hein has come up with some big hits in these tournaments and has played some great outfield. Alex Behrendt had been our closer, Mark Amann pitched a number of great games throughout this tournament, and Spencer Sauke and Joe Dececco have both come off the bench and played some great outfield."

The full Lincoln Glen roster includes Hein, Riley, Ray, Sullivan, Glomb, Morfin, Dececco, Amann, Wilson, Sauke, Kris Olugbode, Behrendt, Caselengo and De La Rocha.