The San Benito Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Star team won the District 1 tournament in Lodi on Tuesday, winning three games by a combined score of 27-4. With the tournament victory, San Benito advanced to the Central California State Championship, held from July 13 to July 17 in Arroyo Grande.
It is the second-consecutive year, the Babe Ruth team advanced to the state tournament, after winning it last year as 13-year-olds.
Against Lodi to open the tournament on Saturday, San Benito’s Adam Gonzales pitched a complete game in a 5-2 San Benito victory. Gonzales allowed both runs off only five hits.
Offensively, San Benito started the game with a lead-off triple by Josh Nehme, who scored on a n RBI single by Vinnie Parker. Parker, eventually, came around to score after a wild throw by the Lodi catcher.
Against Tracy on Sunday, pitchers David Werolin and Josh Nehme led San Benito to a 13-1 blowout victory over Tracy. Werolin, who got the win, pitched three innings and allowed the only run on two hits. He struck out five batters in the win. Nehme, who came in for relief, threw the final two innings and allowed only one hit. He struck out three batters.
At the plate, San Benito exploded for six first-inning runs to take an early lead. After Nehme, Tyler Biersdorff and Parker lead the game off by reaching base, Jimmy Will connected for a bases-clearing double to left field. San Benito added three more runs in the innings. Daniel Hopkins grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate Will from third. And Nehme and Hopkins scored after bases-loaded walks.
In the championship game Tuesday against Lodi, San Benito won 9-1. On the mound Vinnie Parker threw a complete game and allowed no earned runs and one hit. He struck out five in win.
Offensively, San Benito once again started strong by plating four runners in the first inning. Nehme and Parker started the inning by reaching with a hit and walk. Biersdorff followed with an RBI single to left. And Hopkins singled for a two RBIs to extend the early lead. Nolan Carmona later scored from third on a wild throw by the Lodi catcher.
Both the 16-18 and 13-year-old San Benito All-Star teams advanced to the Central California State Championships last weekend.
The 16-18 year olds opened the tournament Thursday in Hollister. Look online for an update. The 13-year olds begin the state tournament on July 13 in Hollister. San Benito’s first game is at 7 p.m. July 13.
