Behind multi-hit games by Giovanni Giannotta, Matthew Harris and
Javier Valdez, as well as three innings of one-hit baseball by the
starter Giannotta, the Hollister National 9- and 10-year-old
”
A
”
All-Stars advanced to the semifinal round of the District 9
All-Star Tournament on Saturday when they dispatched the Hollister
American
”
B
”
All-Stars by a comfortable 14-2 margin at Salinas’ Ferrasci
Little League.
HOLLISTER
Behind multi-hit games by Giovanni Giannotta, Matthew Harris and Javier Valdez, as well as three innings of one-hit baseball by the starter Giannotta, the Hollister National 9- and 10-year-old “A” All-Stars advanced to the semifinal round of the District 9 All-Star Tournament on Saturday when they dispatched the Hollister American “B” All-Stars by a comfortable 14-2 margin at Salinas’ Ferrasci Little League.
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Giannotta connected on a pair of hits, including a double, and stuck out six batters in three innings of work to lead Hollister National, which will square off against Hartnell on Wednesday night at Hartnell Little League in Salinas.
First pitch is 5 p.m.
The 9- and 10-year-old boys in blue plated three runs in the first, four in the second and seven more in the third to control a 14-0 lead entering the fourth frame. Harris was 2 of 3 at the plate for Hollister National, while Valdez was 3 of 3 with a double.
It is the third straight victory for Hollister National, which defeated Salinas National 16-1 and Hollister National “B” 10-0 prior to Saturday’s contest.
“If we play our game, I don’t think anyone can beat us in the district,” Hollister National manager Blair Biersdorff said.
Hollister American got both of its runs in the game in the bottom of the fourth, when Nicolas Perez belted a two-run homer to center field.
The weekend wasn’t complete for the American League All-Stars, though. Following Saturday’s defeat, the team returned to the diamond, this time in the elimination bracket, and lived to see another day when it edged Soledad 8-7.
Behind a pair of RBI hits each by Jake Yamasaki, Nicolas Perez and Chris Leist, Hollister American came from behind to defeat Soledad. Starting pitcher Larry Martinez allowed four runs in 3.1 innings, striking out four.
Hollister American “B” will see yet another familiar foe on Tuesday night. The team will square off against Hollister American “A” at Veterans Memorial Park (Field 2). First pitch is 5 p.m.
Hollister American “A” defeated Hollister National “B” on Sunday by a 7-4 margin.
California District 9 All-Star Tournament
Major All-Stars
The Hollister American and Hollister National Major All-Stars will meet up in the semifinal round of the District 9 All-Star Tournament on Tuesday night after each team dispatched its respective quarterfinal opponent last weekend.
Hollister American shut out Gonzales 4-0 at Gonzales Little League on Saturday, while Hollister National posted a similar result in the nightcap, silencing Salinas Continental by a 7-0 margin.
The two Hollister teams will now square off against one another in the D-9 semifinals, with the winner advancing to the championship game.
Hollister American and Hollister National will play Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Park (Field 1). First pitch is 7 p.m.
10-11 All-Stars
The Hollister American 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars lost their quarterfinal bid against Soledad last Saturday by a 12-1 margin, and will play the remainder of the District 9 All-Star Tournament in the elimination bracket.
And their first opponent will be a familiar foe.
Hollister American will square off against Hollister National in the elimination bracket quarterfinals on Wednesday night at Salinas National. First pitch is 5 p.m.
On Sunday, Hollister National defeated North County 12-2 to advance to the next round.
Central California State Qualifier Tournament
15 All-Stars
The San Benito Babe Ruth 15-year-old All-Stars will square off against Tracy in the semifinal round of the Central California State Qualifier Tournament on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the championship final with an undefeated record.
San Benito opened the tournament in Lodi, and defeated the host team to advance to the following round. In the quarterfinals, San Benito then dropped Modesto 13-4 to position itself in the semifinals against Tracy, which received a first-round bye before defeating Ripon 19-7.
San Benito and Tracy will square off on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. at Lodi’s Kofu Park.
14 All-Stars
The San Benito Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars defeated both of their opponents last weekend and sit in the championship final of the Central California State Qualifier Tournament.
San Benito defeated Modesto 20-2 in the opening round, then downed Lodi by an 11-3 margin in the semifinals to advance to the title game of the double-elimination tournament.
San Benito will face either Tracy or Lodi in the championship, which is slated for Thursday night at Veterans Memorial Park. First pitch is 5 p.m.
If necessary, a second championship game will be played on Thursday night at 8 p.m.
13 All-Stars
One of San Benito’s 13-year-old All-Star teams has played its way into the championship final of the Central California State Qualifier Tournament, while the other has been eliminated.
The San Benito “A” team defeated both of its opponents last weekend, dropping Lodi 11-0 and Tracy 19-0 to advance to the District 1 title game.
San Benito will face either Lodi or Tracy in the championship tilt, which is slated for Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Park. First pitch is 5 p.m.
If necessary, a second championship game will be played on Wednesday night at 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, the San Benito “B” team dropped both of its contests over the weekend, falling to Tracy 10-0 and Lodi 7-4 in the elimination bracket.
Central California State Tournament
16-18 All-Stars
The San Benito 16- to 18-year-old All-Stars will open the Central California State Tournament on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister.
Representing District 1, San Benito will square off against Hanford in the opening round on Saturday. First pitch is 1 p.m.
