It was a match-up that both teams had been anticipating since
the Little League 9-10 All-Star tournament brackets were announced
a few weeks ago: Hollister American’s
”
A
”
team versus Hollister National’s
”
A
”
team in the semifinal game.
Staff Reports
It was a match-up that both teams had been anticipating since the Little League 9-10 All-Star tournament brackets were announced a few weeks ago: Hollister American’s “A” team versus Hollister National’s “A” team in the semifinal game.
Hollister American’s had rolled through the competition in the first few rounds of District 9 play at Veteran’s Memorial Park, winning three games by a combined score of 59-0. Hollister National also fared well, outscoring its opponents 37-10 as it attempts to defend its district title from a year ago.
But on Sunday, coaches, players and fans were expecting a low-scoring, hard-fought game-and that’s what they got.
Backed by a six-hit, five-strikeout, complete-game performance by Tyler Fhurong, Todd Freitas’ Hollister National squeaked out a 1-0 victory and advanced to Friday’s championship game at Salinas American field. Hollister American, managed by Robert Fabing, falls to the loser’s bracket, but if it wins on Thursday in Salinas, it will set up a rematch with the Nationals. Because of the double-elimination format, the team that comes up from the loser’s bracket must beat the undefeated Nationals twice in order to win the district title.
On Sunday, Hollister American mounted an early threat when starting pitcher Robert Soto doubled with two outs in the top of the first inning. Fhurong, however, struck out the next batter to leave Soto stranded at second.
Fhurong was hit by a pitch to lead off the game for the Nationals, but Soto induced a fielder’s choice, a strikeout, and a pop out to end the inning. In the second, Fhurong got two quick outs before Conner Fabing drew a walk, Austin Wahl reached on an error, and Josh George bunted for a single to load the bases. Daniel Gonzales grounded out sharply to short to end the threat.
The Nationals got singles from Fhurong and Freitas in the third, but Soto squelched the rally with a strikeout. Both teams were scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings before Hollister American made another charge in the sixth.
After a groundout, Dylan Yamasaki reached on an infield single and Austin Wahl hit a bunt single to put runners on first and second. Fhurong struck out the next batter for the second out and induced a groundball to first baseman Nathan Alvarez to leave the game scoreless as the home team Nationals came up in their final at-bat.
Andrew Breen reached on a walk against reliever Gonzales, who followed Austin Wahl as a late-inning pitching replacement for Soto. Alvarez then grounded out to first to advance Breen to scoring position with one out. Gonzales struck out the next batter to set up a two-out match-up with Ben Cobb, a starter who re-entered the game as a pinch hitter.
Cobb looped a single into right-center and Breen beat the throw home to give the National squad the 1-0 victory and a berth in the championship round.
Notes: The Hollister National “B” also team remains alive in the loser’s bracket and will face the winner of Monday’s Continental-King City game. Hollister must win its next two games to set up a rematch with the American “A” team, which beat the Nationals 15-0 on Saturday. The Hollister American “B” team lost to Ferrasci 7-4 on Sunday and was eliminated from the tournament.
