If the first two games of the District 9 9-10 All-Star
Tournament are any indication, the Hollister National Little League
9-10 A’s plan on being a contender for the D9 title.
If the first two games of the District 9 9-10 All-Star Tournament are any indication, the Hollister National Little League 9-10 A’s plan on being a contender for the D9 title. The National 9-10’s shutout Salinas-Atlantic 10-0 on Friday, then roughed up Continental No. 2 13-2 on Sunday.
Jerry Sepulveda’s club is off until Thursday when they take on North County at Salinas-Atlantic LL Field at 5:30 p.m.
“Our defense is solid,” said Sepulveda. “If our bats keep on rolling, we’ll be OK.”
The Hollister American 9-10 A’s had little trouble with Gonzales at King City Sunday, winning 11-0. The American 9-10’s play Hartnell Wednesday at Salinas-National at 5:30 p.m.
Should Hollister American A and Hollister National A each win their respective next games, they’ll face each other in a quarterfinal matchup at Salinas-Atlantic on July 8.
Daniel Arevalo pitched a four-inning no-hitter for Hollister National A in its win on Friday. Arevalo, showing some velocity on his fastball, struck out six out of the 13 batters he faced, which was one over the minimum. Salinas-Atlantic’s Austin Reyes reached second on an error in the first inning. The call was originally ruled a hit, but was correctly overturned moments afterwards. Reyes was thrown out trying to steal third by Arevalo, who threw quickly to Adrian Casarez.
Reyes walked with one out in the fourth inning and attempted to steal second. National catcher Jahz Gonzalez let loose with a tremendous throw to shortstop Oscar Ramirez. Ramirez ran Reyes back to first baseman Cooper Sepulveda. Reyes hustled into first just as the ball met Sepulveda’s glove. A collision ensued and Reyes, who was out on the play, fell to the turf in pain.
Reyes, who pitched the first three innings, returned to play shortstop in the bottom of the fourth.
National 9-10, leading 9-0 at that time, tacked on a tenth run on Rolo Robles’ fielder’s choice grounder, which scored Sepulveda. That run ended the game due to the 10-run mercy rule.
The National 9-10’s had a big first inning, scoring six runs on two hits. Salinas-Atlantic committed four of its seven errors in that first. Mark Hurley contributed an RBI single, as did Michael Martinez.
Arevalo had a two-run single in the third to help his cause.
“Arevalo is our horse,” said Jerry Sepulveda. “Then we have four or five kids who can also throw. We were lucky in the win against Atlantic. We didn’t hit the ball that well. We put some balls in play and they made some errors. But we kept hustling, which is one of our strong suits. This team has a great attitude.”
In the game vs. Continental 2, Ramirez pitched four innings to get the win, then Gonzalez, Robles and Casarez finished off. Ricky Garcia had two hits, as did Sepulveda, and Arevalo. Sepulveda had a ground rule double.
Hollister American A had a combined no-hitter Sunday. Darrin Gilles pitched the first inning where American tallied two runs and was credited with the win by manager Mike Granger. Bryan Granger followed Gilles for an inning, then Enrique Lopez pitched two frames. Nick Hernandez and Will Cross eached pitched an inning, as well.
Eddie Vargas was the hitting star, going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
“It was a good team effort,” said Mike Granger. “Everyone played at least three innings. We had chances to score more runs, but that was kind of good because it gave everyone a chance to play more baseball. I’m very happy with this team. We have a good chance to win it.”
Hollister American 9-10 B’s were defeated by Soledad Saturday 10-2. Manager Mitch Burley was excited about three defensive plays his club pulled off.
“We gave them some runs, but we took some away,” said Burley.
-Tucker Carrillo-Zazueta, playing center field, threw out a runner at the plate with brother Tanner Carrillo-Zazueta on the receiving end.
-Mitch Huston, playing right field, threw out a Soledad runner at third base.
-Left fielder Craig Slipsager tossed out a runner with Conner Stevens making the tag.
Cody Gessell had a double.
The Hollister American 9-10 B’s try to stave off elimination tonight vs. Gambetta at Salinas-Atlantic Field at 5:30 p.m.
Sa. Atl. A 000 0 – 0 0 7
Hol. Nat. A 603 1 – 10 4 1
Reyes, Martinez and Villareal; Arevalo and Gonzalez. WP-Arevalo. LP-Reyes. 2 RBI – Arevalo (HN).
