Junior League All-Star Robert Soto connects on RBI double,
Hollister walks off with 3-2 victory over Continental in District 9
semifinals Monday night
SALINAS
It was almost one year ago to the day when the Hollister Junior League All-Stars mounted a completely improbable comeback.
Down by six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning at the District 9 Junior League championship last year, Hollister plated eight unanswered to steal a 13-11 victory from the hands of Hartnell.
Although Monday night’s 3-2 victory over Continental at Salinas’ Muni Stadium lacked that championship-game finality, or a six-run comeback by Hollister in the final inning, for that matter, it did perhaps put a couple of gray hairs atop manager Todd Freitas’ head, nonetheless.
“I told the kids I aged 20 years tonight,” Freitas said afterward.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh Monday, in the District 9 All-Star Tournament semifinals, Hollister scored two runs on two hits – the clincher when Robert Soto smacked an RBI double to the right-field corner to score Jacob Tonascia from second base.
“It’s always good to be challenged,” Freitas said. “And these kids, with what they accomplished last year, they believe it’s not over until it’s over.
“When the opportunity came up, they got it.”
It was Hollister’s only lead in the ball game. The 13- and 14-year-old All-Stars scattered 12 hits, but were up against Continental’s southpaw pitcher, who forced 16 fly-ball outs.
“They were very scattered,” Freitas said. Hollister pitchers Chris Manderson (5IP) and Craig Slibsager (2IP), meanwhile, allowed just four hits.
Hollister advances to the District 9 Junior League championship as a result, though, where it will play the winner between Ferrasci and Continental. Those two teams meet up Tuesday night in Salinas, with the victor advancing to Thursday night’s championship at Muni Stadium.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Hollister, which previously trumped Gonzales 11-1 and Ferrasci 6-0 last week, remains undefeated in the double-elimination tournament, meaning Game 2 of the championship final, if necessary, is scheduled for Friday night at 5:30 p.m.
Remaining unbeaten didn’t seem to be in the cards for Hollister on Monday night, though, as Continental grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. While Hollister managed to even the game in the fifth behind a Slibsager sacrifice that scored Josh George from third base, Continental reclaimed its one-run lead in the top of seventh.
But in the bottom half of the inning, Richie Beltran connected on a one-out double to right field, while courtesy runner Cody Cameron advanced to third base following a Continental pass ball.
With a man on third, Jacob Tonascia then walked to put runners on the corners, while Chris Manderson’s hard shot down the third-base line was misplayed, allowing Cameron to score and knot the game at 2-all.
Continental then made a pitching change, but Soto made quick work of the new hurler, taking the first pitch he saw to right field for a walk-off double and a 3-2 Hollister victory.
San Benito Babe Ruth 14s
The San Benito Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars defeated Modesto 16-2 at the District 1 State Qualifier Tournament in Modesto on Sunday to advance to Monday night’s second round against Lodi.
No score was reported at press time.
San Benito Babe Ruth 13s
The San Benito Babe Ruth 13-year-old All-Stars defeated Lodi 15-7 at the District 1 State Qualifier Tournament in Hollister on Sunday to advance to Monday night’s second round against Manteca.
No score was reported at press time.
Hollister American 11-12
The Hollister American 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars defeated Salinas American (20-0) and Ferrasci (13-2) at the District 9 Major All-Star Tournament last weekend to advance to Tuesday night’s third round against North County.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Hartnell.
Hollister National 11-12
The Hollister National 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars defeated Greenfield (11-0) and Continental (15-1) at the District 9 Major All-Star Tournament last weekend to advance to Tuesday night’s third round against Soledad.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Ferrasci Park.
Hollister American 10-11
The Hollister American 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars defeated Ferrasci (19-5) and Hollister National (12-2) at the District 9 All-Star Tournament last weekend to advance to Wednesday night’s semifinal against Hartnell.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Gonzales.
Hollister National 10-11
The Hollister National 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars defeated Atlantic (15-0) and Gonzales (11-1) at the District 9 All-Star Tournament last weekend before falling to Hollister American (2-12) on Sunday.
Hollister National played Continental Monday night in the elimination bracket, although no score was reported at press time.
Hollister American 9-10 A
The Hollister American 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars defeated Hartnell (13-2), Salinas American (25-0) and Salinas National (15-0) at the District 9 All-Star Tournament last weekend to advance to Tuesday night’s semifinal against Hollister National.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Continental.
Hollister National 9-10 A
The Hollister National 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars defeated Greenfield (29-6), Atlantic (16-1) and Ferrasci (9-2) at the District 9 All-Star Tournament last weekend to advance to Tuesday night’s semifinal against Hollister American.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Continental.
Hollister American 9-10 B
The Hollister American 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars lost to Soledad (5-7) and Hollister National B (7-8) at the District 9 All-Star Tournament last week, and have been eliminated as a result.
Hollister National 9-10 B
The Hollister National 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars lost to Ferrasci (3-7), defeated Hollister American B (8-7), but fell to Soledad (1-3) at the District 9 All-Star Tournament last week, and have been eliminated as a result.
San Juan-Aromas 11-12
The San Juan-Aromas 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars lost to Scotts Valley (1-19) at the District 39 Major All-Star Tournament last Thursday, and will play Pajaro Valley in the elimination bracket Tuesday night.
First pitch is 7:30 p.m., at Pajaro Valley.
San Juan-Aromas 10-11
The San Juan-Aromas 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars lost to Santa Cruz National (1-21) and Aptos (0-16) at the District 39 All-Star Tournament last weekend, and have been eliminated as a result.
