Hollister American ‘A’ teams use defense to move on in
tournament play
Three pitchers combined for the 9- and 10-year-old Hollister American ‘A’ team to toss a one-hitter in the 5-0 victory over Continental ‘A’ on Thursday night in Hollister. In their two All-Star tournament games, Hollister has outscored its opposition 31-0.
Cody Gessell gave up a hit to the first batter of the game – a line shot of the second baseman’s head – but that was the last one that Hollister would give up.
Gessell had six strikeouts in the four innings he pitched. In the first inning, Continental had runners on second and third with no one out, but Gessell got a comebacker then struck out the final two batters.
Kevin Salvas pitched the fifth inning, giving up just one walk.
Salvas showcased good movement on his pitches. The pitches dropped down nicely into the zone and kept Continental off balance.
Skyler Shaw-Fuss pitched the final inning and got Continental 1-2-3. Continental had just four baserunners in the game.
Hollister did its damage in the second inning. Marcus Sabatte doubled to drive in a pair of runs. And Dustin Rovella added another double for two more. Craig Slibsager, who was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple in the game, brought in the final run.
In the fifth inning, Jacob Moeller had a triple down the right field line. Moeller tried to score on an infield groundout, but Continental’s first baseman made a great throw home, and the catcher put the tag on.
11 All-Stars
Hollister American ‘A’ 6, North County 0
In another pitching gem, Jacob Cabral threw a complete game one-hitter against North County at Ferrasci on Thursday.
Jacob Cabrall pitched all six innings, striking out 10. The only hit he gave up was an infield single. Cabrall gave up four walks in the game, but three came in the final inning.
Hollister had chances to score. Even with with three-bases loaded chances, they could never get the big hit to break it open. But Hollister played small ball and manufactured runs to win.
Anthony Cecena lead off the game by beating a bunt for a hit upon the recommendation of his coach.
Cecena went to second on a bad throw and advanced around on passed balls to put Hollister up 1-0 in the first inning.
In the second inning, Hollister loaded the bases. After North County got a force at home, Hollister scored a run on a groundout.
In the third inning, Mark Nakata laid down a bunt, but no one was covering first and third base. Three runs ended up scoring in the inning.
Hollister had a chance for a big inning in the sixth but had to settle for just one run.
Enrique Lopez and Nick Hernandez led off the inning with singles. With two outs, Kallin Corotto hit a base hit to the gap in left center to score Lopez from second.
Hernandez tried to score, but North County made a strong relay to the shortstop, who threw home to get the out.
Hollister will continue tournament play on July 19 against Hartnell or Atlantic at Atlantic at 5:30 p.m.
