A’s and Tigers 1-0 after first weekend, while Cardinals, Yankees
and Rockies are 1-1
HOLLISTER
The San Benito Babe Ruth baseball league kicked off its 53rd season on Saturday, Feb. 28, with an opening day barbecue. Coaches and players celebrated with free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and beverages in between the day’s scheduled games, while Cardinals manager John Heenan threw out the first pitch of the spring season.
Heenan played professional baseball from 1969-1975 for the St. Louis Cardinals organization after being drafted in the fifth round of the 1969 Players Draft as a pitcher. He signed shortly after the draft for the sum of $30,000, a significant amount of money at the time. Heenan was a high school All-American at Lincoln High in San Jose. Catching the first pitch was his son, Tyler.
The Babe Ruth spring season is scheduled to last nine weeks and will conclude with a championship on Saturday, April 25.
After the season concludes, a draft will be conducted to fill the rosters of the summer league team, which includes returning high school players. The summer league will begin Friday, May 15, immediately following the conclusion of the high school baseball regular season. The summer league’s season will conclude with a championship on Saturday, June 20.
All-Star teams in each age group will then begin tournament play in early July.
San Benito Babe Ruth is still accepting players between the ages of 12-18 interested in playing baseball. For more information, contact the San Benito Babe Ruth at 831-637-5108.
WEEK ONE RESULTS
SATURDAY
Cardinals 17, at Yankees 6
The Cardinals were lead by Kyle Tolentino, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI’s and two runs scored. Matt Yarborough was 1-for-1 with three RBI’s and three runs scored. The Cardinals’ Russell Tobias pitched two innings of one-hit baseball.
The Yankees were paced by Estevan Rodriguez (1-for-4 with an RBI double), Damien Botelho (1-for-4 with an RBI single and two runs scored) and Kevin Salvas (2-for-3 and two RBI’s), who played solid defense at shortstop.
Rockies 3, at Athletics 5
The Rockies were lead Brian Becerra (1-for-2, two runs scored, a stolen base and pitched two solid innings), Juan Rios (one run scored) and Victor Banuelos (RBI double).
The Athletics had strong performances from Zach Hicks (two runs scored, three stolen bases), Ryan Christian (winning pitcher and 1-for-2 hitting) and Tony Diaz, who made two crucial sacrifice bunts in the tightly contested game.
SUNDAY
Tigers 8, at Cardinals 6
The Tigers were lead by Dylan Hoskins, who was 3-for-4 with two doubles and pitched two innings. Cody Gessell played well defensively at shortstop and pitched two strong innings.
The Cardinals had strong performances by Patrick Frusetta (two innings pitched), Tyler Heenan (1-for-3, two RBI’s) and Kyle Tolentino (1-for-3, RBI, two stolen bases).
Yankees 5, at Rockies 7
The Yankees were lead by Michael Rodriguez (two solid innings pitched and 1-for-3 with an RBI), Gio Caro (1-for-3, RBI single, two runs scored and an assist from the outfield) and Eric Tomesseti (1-for-4 and two strong innings pitched).
Staring for the Rockies were Ray Reuda (3-for-3, double, two RBI’s), Victor Banuelos (2-for-3, double, one RBI) and Alex Huaracha (1-for-2 and pitched two shutout innings).
