The stage is set for the semifinal round of the 10-11 District 9
All-Star Tournament, after both Hollister American and Hollister
National upended their opponents Sunday at the Ferrasci Little
League field in Salinas.
Andrew Matheson Sports Editor
Salinas – The stage is set for the semifinal round of the 10-11 District 9 All-Star Tournament, after both Hollister American and Hollister National upended their opponents Sunday at the Ferrasci Little League field in Salinas.
The two squads will now face each other in the semifinals of the 10-11 winners bracket on Wednesday in Salinas, marking the third straight year in a row in which the American and National teams from Hollister will meet up in the semifinals.
“We know all these kids, so it’ll be another classic matchup,” said Manager Al Lopes of Hollister American. “It seems like we’re always tangling up with them.”
On Sunday in Salinas, Hollister National scored five runs in the second inning and held on for the 5-2 win over Ferrasci, while Hollister American defeated North County 7-0 behind a complete game two-hitter from Tony Diaz and a solo homer from Dylan Yamasaki in the fourth inning.
Hollister National v. Ferrasci
With five runs in the second inning and the pitching of Greg Steinbeck, Hollister National thwarted any and all chances of a Ferrasci comeback on Sunday as the local 10-11 All-Stars held on for the 5-2 win.
Steinbeck threw to all but one batter, as the hurler met the 85 pitch count limit after 5.2 innings. He scattered four hits and struck out eight batters, including the last one he faced. In relief, Ben Cobb struck out the final batter of the game.
“All you ask is that your pitcher throws strikes,” said National Manager Celso Lopez Jr. “We jumped on them early, and thankfully Greg (Steinbeck) pitched up to the last batter.”
After a scoreless first, Hollister National got on the scoreboard five times in the second inning, starting with a bases loaded walk to Dillan Williams. The following batter, John Canes, ripped a two-RBI double to center field, while Steinbeck followed with an RBI single up the middle. Later, Canes would score from third base after Ben Cobb hit into a fielder’s choice groundout.
While the bottom of the second went smoothly for Steinbeck on the mound, striking out two of the batters he faced, the bottom half of the third, fourth, and fifth innings were a little more interesting.
In the third, Ferrasci scored their first run on a throwing error, and would eventually load the bases with two outs. But Steinbeck managed to strikeout Ferrasci’s Richard Torres to end the inning.
In the fourth, Ferrasci had runners on first and second with one out, but Steinbeck once again picked up two more strikeouts to end the inning.
In the following inning, Ferrasci had runners on first and third with one out. While Hollister National caught Daniel Rubio trying to steal second base, the throw allowed Howie Lyon to score from third. However, it was a tradeoff that Hollister National wanted.
“We’ll give up the run to stay out of the big inning,” Lopez said. “They executed it great and that makes you feel great.
“We got into a little jam, but we kept getting out of it…When we had to make a play, we came up with one. I work these guys hard and when you come here it’s nice to see it pay off.”
At the plate, Canes and Matt Hawk each contributed a pair of hits and two RBIs. Gaelen Bannister also had a ground-rule double.
When asked if he had a preference to play either Hollister American or North County in the semifinals, a game in which hadn’t been played yet, Lopez responded, “You play who you play. We worry about the here and now, and only today matters.”
Hollister American v. North County
Led by a two-hitter pitching performance from Tony Diaz, the first hit coming in the bottom of the fourth inning, Hollister American marched to an easy 7-0 victory over North County on Sunday.
“He pitched outstanding,” said Hollister American Manager Al Lopes about Diaz. “He usually comes through in big games and we needed that to get to the next round.”
Diaz’ effort included nine strikeouts.
Offensively, though, Hollister American wasted no time to put runs up on the board, as a fielder’s choice groundout by Dylan Yamasaki plated Cody Cameron in the first inning, while Diaz helped his own effort with an RBI single that scored Cody Asp.
Hollister American added to their lead with two more runs in the second inning, including an RBI single from Chris Manderson that had warning track power.
Speaking of power, Yamasaki led off the fourth inning with a solo home run, easily clearing the 189-foot sign in center field, and putting Hollister American up 4-0.
“That key home run from Dylan (Yamasaki), he just stepped up,” Lopes said. Yamasaki nearly hit another one as well in the fifth inning. While this ball was caught at the warning track, it scored Marco Cosio from third base to put Hollister American up 7-0, a lead they would not relinquish.
Now, Hollister American and Hollister National will meet up in the semifinals on Wednesday to see who will punch their ticket to the championship game.
The game will be held at Ferrasci Little League in Salinas at 5:30pm Since both teams remain undefeated, whoever loses will still have another chance to reach the title game.
“We still have a tough Hollister National team (to face),” Lopes said. “We’re not going to take them lightly.
