CUPERTINO – They could kick themselves for baserunning gaffes,
but Hollister National doesn’t have time to dwell on Monday night’s
tightly played 2-1 defeat to Alameda in the Division 2 9-10
year-old All-Stars Tournament at Wilson Park.
Instead, the National 9-10’s must gear themselves for some
old-fashioned heat from some good-sized hurlers.
CUPERTINO – They could kick themselves for baserunning gaffes, but Hollister National doesn’t have time to dwell on Monday night’s tightly played 2-1 defeat to Alameda in the Division 2 9-10 year-old All-Stars Tournament at Wilson Park.
Instead, the National 9-10’s must gear themselves for some old-fashioned heat from some good-sized hurlers. Hollister National faces large San Mateo American at 5:30 p.m. today in an elimination game for both teams. The winner gets another crack at Alameda, which defeated San Mateo American on Saturday 5-3. San Mateo American stayed alive with a thrilling 7-6 win vs. River Park in seven innings Monday.
Alameda’s A.J. Vanegas had a huge role in dealing Hollister National its first loss in two games of the tourney. Vanegas ripped a run-scoring double with two outs in the first inning, then sent the first pitch he saw from Daniel Arevalo in the fourth well over the left field fence for his team’s other run.
Most importantly, Vanegas kept Hollister National in check for all six innings with a diet of breaking pitches, while mixing a sneaky fastball in on occasion. Hollister National, obviously guessing with Vanegas, struck out nine times, four of which were looking. Vanegas had good control, walking just two batters. He gave up six hits.
“He had a good curveball and a good fastball,” said Hollister National Jerry Sepulveda. “Alameda is strong up the middle on defense and is a quality club.”
“We knew we would have to play one of our best games to beat Hollister National and we did,” said Alameda manager Daryl Thomas. “It was like two titans going at it out there. It was a real battle.”
Hollister National hurt itself at times on the basepaths and in a one-run game, the mistakes were costly. With one out and with Cooper Sepulveda on at second and Jahz Gonzalez on at third, Alex Costa was asked to bunt. Costa’s bunt rolled towards third as Vanegas left the pitcher’s slab to field it. Vanegas was going to have a tough time throwing out Costa, but Sepulveda made it easy for Vanegas by failing to take off for third. The yell came from the Alameda bench to throw to third and Sepulveda was easily forced for the second out of the inning. Vanegas whiffed the next hitter.
“I had a brain-freeze,” said Sepulveda, not making excuses.
Then in the fourth, Adrian Cazarez and Gonzalez put two singles together to start the frame. Costa failed to get the bunt down and was eventually retired. Meanwhile, Alameda catcher Nathan Cole bobbled a low pitch from Vanegas, recovered, then picked off a straying Gonzalez at first base for out No. 2.
“That’s not like us,” said Hollister National manager Jerry Sepulveda. “Running the bases is one of the things we do best.”
Joey Schulman blooped a single to right on an 0-2 pitch to lead off the fifth. Then Ricky Garcia’s fielder’s choice grounder forced out Schulman. After Garcia was wild pitched up a base, Oscar Ramirez took a 2-1 pitch high and inside. The ball escaped from Cole, allowing Garcia to go to third. Ramirez thought he had ball four and trotted to first. Unfortunately, for Hollister National, it was ball three and Ramirez had to return to the batter’s box. Vanegas was able to retire Ramirez for the second out.
Arevalo sizzled the first pitch he saw from Vanegas into left field for Hollster National’s only run. It was Arevalo’s second hit of the game and, all though he may not have realized it, Vanegas should have considered it a victory he kept Arevalo in the park the ball was hit that hard. Arevalo should also get credit for some steady pitching, limiting Alameda to three hits, walking two and hitting a batter.
“Arevalo kept us off-balance,” said Thomas. “And he swung the bat well.”
Hollister National must find a way to swing the bat well against San Mateo American. At least, it will know what pitch is coming and that’s good old No. 1.
“We leaned not to hang our heads,” said Garcia. “We can come back and win the tournament.”
Hol Nat 000 010 – 1 6 1
Alameda 100 10X – 2 3 0
Arevalo and Gonzalez; Vanegas and Cole. WP-Vanegas. LP-Arevalo. 2B – Vanegas (A). HR – Vanegas (A). 2 hits – Vanegas (A); Arevalo, Gonzalez (HN). 2 RBI – Vanegas (A).
