For 2015 at least, Hollister owns bragging rights for the District 9 tournament of champions.
In the Minors Tournament of Champions finale on Sunday, the Hollister Reds beat the Hartnell A’s 7-4 to complete an improbable comeback. The Reds lost their first game of the double-elimination tournament before reeling off eight consecutive victories to take the title.
After opening tournament play with a 5-4 loss to Salinas Continental, Reds Manager Ken Jamrok reminded his players they needed to win five or six straight games to reach the championship round.
Then they went out and did it.
“(After the first game), the kids said, ‘OK, we’ve got it,’” Jamrok said. “It was pretty amazing what they did.”
In the Majors TOC championship game on Saturday, the Hollister Rangers downed Hartnell 5-0 to complete a perfect tourney run. The Rangers went a perfect 5-0 to capture the title, capped by a sterling performance from Austin Salamida, who threw a one-hitter to close things out against Hartnell.
Thomas Breen and Andrew Minana powered the offense with a two-run home run and solo homer, respectively. The team’s toughest game was its first, an 8-7 victory over Ferrasci. Down by two runs entering the final inning, the Rangers received a bases-loaded double from Alex Valencia for a thrilling walk-off victory.
