The San Benito Babe Ruth 13-year-old All-Stars continued its
run-scoring trend in dominating fashion on Wednesday night when it
tromped Lodi by a 12-1 margin to claim the Central California
District 1 State Qualifier Tournament championship at Hollister’s
Veterans Memorial Park.
HOLLISTER
The San Benito Babe Ruth 13-year-old All-Stars continued its run-scoring trend in dominating fashion on Wednesday night when it tromped Lodi by a 12-1 margin to claim the Central California District 1 State Qualifier Tournament championship at Hollister’s Veterans Memorial Park.
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The win advances San Benito to the Central California State Tournament, which is set to get under way on Friday, July 15 in Madera. San Benito, representing District 1, will open the eight-team tournament against the District 3 representative at 2:30 p.m.
Manager Anthony Sotelo expects the competition at state to be a step up from what his team saw at the district level.
In its three games, San Benito outscored its opponents by a 42-1 margin, defeating Lodi 11-0 in the opener, topping Tracy 19-0 in the semifinals, and dropping Lodi a second time by a 12-1 margin in Wednesday’s championship.
“We’ll see better teams at state,” Sotelo said. “We consider this our Double-A. When we play at state, it’ll be more of a Major tournament.
“But the kids played well. They played together, as a team.”
Jose Rodriguez led San Benito at the plate, compiling a .750 batting average, a 1.250 slugging percentage, an .857 on-base percentage and a 2.107 OPS. He also had eight RBI and five walks.
Other top contributors included Adam Gonzales, Tyler Biersdorff and R.J. Clark, each of whom batted .667 for San Benito.
On the mound, the local All-Stars were anchored by Vinnie Parker, who went 2-0 and struck out five. He pitched a complete game in Thursday’s championship, allowing one earned run on 95 pitches.
Pitchers Adam Gonzales, Andrew Sotelo and Macen Schwehr combined for 10 innings pitched and a 0.00 earned-run average during the tournament.
In total, San Benito pitchers tossed 236 pitches in the tournament, while its opponents tossed 463.
San Benito is back in action next Friday, when it will open the state tournament in Madera.
San Benito Babe Ruth
16-18 All-Stars
The San Benito Babe Ruth 16- to 18-year-old All-Stars will open the Central California State Tournament on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister.
San Benito will square off against Hanford at 1 p.m.
With a win, San Benito would advance to the second round against San Luis Obispo, scheduled for Saturday night at 7 p.m. With a loss, San Benito would fall to the elimination bracket on Sunday, when it would face either Watsonville, Tracy or Delano at 1 p.m.
15 All-Stars
The San Benito Babe Ruth 15-year-old All-Stars, who haven’t played since Tuesday night, will square off against Lodi in the Central California District 1 State Qualifier Tournament championship on Thursday night at Lodi’s Kofu Park.
First pitch is 5 p.m.
San Benito is undefeated in the double-elimination tournament. A loss in Thursday night’s game would force a second game, which would start 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.
San Benito previously defeated Lodi to open the tournament.
14 All-Stars
The San Benito Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars, who haven’t played since Sunday night, will square off against Tracy in the Central California District 1 State Qualifier Tournament championship on Thursday night at Hollister’s Veterans Memorial Park.
First pitch is 5 p.m.
San Benito is undefeated in the double-elimination tournament. A loss in Thursday night’s game would force a second game, which would start at 8 p.m.
This will be the first meeting between San Benito and Tracy.
Hollister Little League
11-12 All-Stars
The Hollister American 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars will play Saturday at American Little League in Salinas.
First pitch is 1 p.m.
Hollister American will play the winner between Gonzales and Ferrasci, which will square off against each other on Thursday night at National Little League in Salinas.
Hollister National, meanwhile, sits in the championship final and is awaiting its next opponent. The championship is scheduled for Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Park (F1) in Hollister. First pitch is 7 p.m.
10-11 All-Stars
The Hollister National 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars defeated Hollister American 10-4 on Wednesday night Hollister’s Veterans Memorial Park.
While the loss eliminates Hollister American from the California District 9 All-Star Tournament, it advances Hollister National to the semifinal round of the elimination bracket.
Hollister National will square off against the loser between Soledad and Hartnell, which will face off against each other on Saturday at American Little League in Salinas.
Hollister National won’t play again until Monday at Continental Little League in Salinas. First pitch is 5 p.m.
9-10 All-Stars
The Hollister National 9- and 10-year-old “A” All-Stars defeated Hartnell 12-0 on Wednesday night to advance to the California District 9 All-Star Tournament championship.
Hollister National will now await the winner between Hartnell and Hollister American “A,” which defeated Hollister National “B” by a 15-1 margin on Tuesday night.
Hartnell and Hollister American “A” will square off on Friday night at North County Little League (F2). First pitch is 5 p.m.
The championship final, meanwhile, is scheduled for Monday night at Soledad Little League. First pitch is 5 p.m.
Hollister National “B” and Hollister American “B” have been eliminated.
