Hollister National to play American in D9 championship game

SALINAS – One could feel that Hollister National was in the
duldrums early in Sunday’s District 9 Majors 11-12 All-Stars
Tournament game with Salinas-Continental at Ferrasci Field.
SALINAS – One could feel that Hollister National was in the duldrums early in Sunday’s District 9 Majors 11-12 All-Stars Tournament game with Salinas-Continental at Ferrasci Field. Hollister National had left four runners on base in the first two innings and was behind 1-0.

Not to worry.

First baseman Bret Furtado pulled out his jumper cables and jump-started Hollister National with a two-run home run to center field with none out in the bottom of the third. Twelve batters, five hits and 10 runs later, Hollister National had secured a four-inning, 12-1 victory.

The win also secured a place in tonight’s D9 championship game at Ferrasci at 5:30 p.m. against the stars from Hollister American. For the second straight year, the two Hollister Little League representatives will face each other for the right to move on to to the Section 5 Tournament. Hollister American, which handled Continental 9-1 on Saturday, holds the hammer, meaning it must be defeated twice. An ‘if’ game would be played Tuesday at Ferrasci should National beat American tonight.

That is not out of the question. This Hollister National team is on a five-game win streak and has belted 11 home runs during the tournament.

“Hollister National has some good kids and have good sportsmanship,” said Continental manager Matt Dyer. “They have a good mix and have good team speed. Hollister American has some dangerous hitters.”

“We can beat Hollister American twice if the coaches just stay out of the way,” said Hollister National manager Tim Furtado half-joking. “Our strength is that we have a lot of players who can play a different positions. Hollister American has some power and is very well-coached.”

Marcus Synegal followed Hurtado’s bomb with a low-liner double to left field as the ball bounced over the left fielder’s head. Continental’s defense began to crack as Ryan Whiteside’s sac bunt resulted in a throwing error, the first of four Continental errors in the inning. Two batters later, Chad Whitehead beat out an infield hit for an RBI. After Derek Palermo walked to put a runner at each base, Anthony Alvarez hit the base of the wall in center for a lengthy two-run single. The ball came within about four feet of being a grand slam.

With one out, Jeff Hann doubled down the third base line for another run. Furtado walked to load the bases full once more. Synegal tripled into center, alertly seeing that Furtado was attempting to score all the way from first. Furtado was called out on a close play at the plate. Tim Furtado argued enough to get a second opinion, but no soap.

Justin Schlie, in as a pinch-hitter, jerked a four-bagger over the left field fence off reliever Kimo Lasabe-Talbott for the final runs of the game. It was Schlie’s third home run of the tournament, which isn’t bad for an 11 year-old.

“We call him ‘Just-Incredible’,” said Tim Furtado of Schlie. “He’s a hard-nosed player who plays hard every game.”

Palermo, fighting some wildness, pitched the first three innings for the win. He gave up just the one run, a hit and struck out five. He walked four batters, including three in the third. Whiteside mopped up in the fourth, but Continental went down with a fight, loading the bases before Synegal handled a fielder’s choice ground ball for the game’s final out.

“We’ll have to play smart baseball to beat Hollister American,” said Hollister National’s Matt Miguel.

“We’ll have to keep hitting the ball the way we have been,” added Bret Furtado.

Hollister American is expected to throw either Alfonzo Reyes or Justin Terrill with ace Steven Cabral resting for the ‘if’ game on Tuesday. Hollister National might go with Furtado, Miguel or Whiteside tonight.

Tourney notes: Hollister National rocked King City 9-3 on Saturday. Hann went 4-4 with a double and a home run. Furtado also homered….Steven Cabral hit a solo shot and pitched five innings for Hollister American in the win over Continental….The Section 5 Tournament begins Friday and is hosted by Eastridge and North Valley Little Leagues in San Jose. Eastridge LL is near Reed-Hillview Airport at Cunningham and Capitol Expressway. North Valley uses Flickinger Park at Flickinger Avenue and Ulster Drive. The D9 representative opens up vs. D39 this Friday at Eastridge. Last year’s D39 representative was Aptos, which went all the way to the LLWS in Williamsport.

Continental 100 0 – 1 2 4

Hol Nat 00(12) X – 12 7 1

Jac. Naval, Lasabe-Talbott (3), Dyer (3) and Jar. Naval; Palermo, Whiteside (4) and Hann. 2B – Alvas (C); Synegal, Hann (HN). 3B – Synegal (HN). HR – Furtado, Schlie (HN). 2 hits – Synegal (HN). 2 RBI – Furtado, Synegal, Schlie, Alvarez (HN).