The Hollister 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars used some late
heroics to advance to the first game of the Section 5 championship
round tonight at 5:30 against Lincoln Glen. Hollister has to win
twice to advance to the Northern California Division championships
in Sacramento.
The Hollister 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars used some late heroics to advance to the first game of the Section 5 championship round tonight at 5:30 against Lincoln Glen. Hollister has to win twice to advance to the Northern California Division championships in Sacramento.
Hollister defeated Scotts Valley 9-7 Tuesday night in Santa Clara behind three home runs.
“After tonight, everyone has got to believe,” said manager Steve Gessell. “Scotts Valley was ready to play in the championship, but the big red matching came thorough. It was one of the biggest games I have seen.”
Hollister jumped ahead 3-0 behind a three-run home run from Darin Gillies in the second inning.
But Scotts Valley came back and got all seven of its runs in the bottom of the inning. After giving up five runs, Gillies, the starting pitcher, left the game in favor of Trevor Gessell.
Hollister had its chances in the middle innings, leaving the bases loaded in the fifth inning without scoring.
In the sixth inning, the fun started for Hollister. Kenny Sabatte walked, and Gessell had a single. With two outs, Kyle Vallejo had a base hit to load the bases for Kyle Zozaya. Zozaya hit a grand slam to tie the game.
But Hollister wasn’t done yet. Josh Villegas hit a ball up the middle then Will Cross re-entered the game and hit a two-run home run to win it.
Vallejo came in to pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners at second and third, Vallejo struck out the final batter to end the game.
