All-Stars ready to test themselves against other section champs
in Division 2 tourney
Hollister – Smiles. Confidence. And some anxiety.
Just before setting out on a road trip they hope brings them a state title, the Hollister American 9-10-year-old All-Stars were plenty talkative.
“I’m excited and then I’m nervous,” pitcher/catcher Marcos Perez said. “It’s like you want to go play and win. You want to hit the ball and make all the plays. You want to play with all kinds of energy.”
Imagine how much energy these Little Leaguers will have after being bottled up in the car all the way to Rocklin, the site of the Division 2 championship.
Hollister American, which defeated Cambrian Park for the Section 5 title Monday, opens play in the Northern California championship tonight.
Second baseman Josh George said the winning formula remains the same for his team.
“We have to hit it and play our hardest,” George said, “Help our pitchers make plays and stuff.”
Added Dylan Yamasaki: “I’m excited. (The other teams) are going to be tougher than the other opponents we played. I’m anxious. There’s a lot more pressure than the last tournament.”
After three strong practices, manager Robert Fabing believed his team was as ready as it was ever going to be.
“If we do the things we’ve done the last two tournaments, we’ll have a pretty good shot in this thing. The team that’s going to win this thing is the team that’s going to hit the ball and play good defense.”
Even though Hollister American used those qualities to complete an undefeated run through the section tournament, Perez said this week’s practices involved a refresher course.
“We prepared by hitting the ball good, practicing our defense, just working on fundamentals,” Perez related. “Practicing so we don’t make errors.”
The Division 2 tournament includes five other section champions, stretching from Fresno to the Oregon border: Alameda, Peach Bowl (Yuba City), Hillsborough, Wood Creek (Roseville) and River Park (Fresno).
Hollister American opens play by facing Yuba City tonight at 7pm in the double-elimination tournament. An opening-night victory would send Hollister American back to the field Sunday night; a first-round loss would drop the All-Stars to the losers’ bracket, where they would play Monday night.
Fabing has his sights set on an extended stay in the Sacramento area.
“We’re staying up there ’til we’re done,” Hollister American’s manager said, “’til we get the championship Thursday, I hope.”
