Two games into the 2007 Central California State Qualifier
Tournament, the San Benito 14-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars sit 2-0,
and are currently awaiting their opponent in the championship
round.
Staff Reports
Modesto – Two games into the 2007 Central California State Qualifier Tournament, the San Benito 14-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars sit 2-0, and are currently awaiting their opponent in the championship round.
San Benito, who received a bye in the first round of the tournament which started Saturday in Modesto, has since defeated Tracy and Manteca by a combined score of 20-0. Both games were called due to the 10-run rule.
On Sunday, San Benito beat Tracy 10-0, while on Tuesday, San Benito did the same to Manteca, beating them by a 10-0 score.
The 14-year-old All-Stars will now play again on Thursday in Modesto for the championship. While the brackets sort themselves out, San Benito will either play Tracy, Modesto, or Manteca for the title, depending on who wins over the next couple of days. Whoever meets San Benito in the championship, though, will need to defeat them twice to be crowned champions in the double-elimination tournament.
Manager Jerry Sepulveda said his San Benito squad has been strong at executing plays, from situational hitting, to laying down bunts, to the suicide squeeze.
“These guys are very loose and confident right now without being arrogant,” Sepulveda said. “They’re having fun. They know how to win.
“When they get on the field, they’re focused.”
Sepulveda added that the core of the team have been playing with one another since they were 9- and 10-years-old.
In this tournament, where San Benito’s opponents haven’t plated a run, it shows.
On Tuesday, Dillon DiNapoli threw a one-hitter over five innings, striking out two batters.
“He pitched very good,” Sepulveda said. “He kept the ball down. They were off-balance most of the time.”
At the plate, DiNapoli was supplied with plenty of run support, as San Benito scored twice in the first, three more times in the second, three times in the fourth, and two more times in the fifth.
Daniel Arevalo went 2-for-3 with a triple and a double, while Cooper Sepulveda went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Ricky Garcia also went 2-for-3, connecting for two doubles.
San Benito will next play in the championship game on Thursday. A win there will send the team to Madera for the state tournament.
