The San Benito 15-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars, after battling
their way back through the loser’s bracket, finally met their match
on Saturday against Manteca in the championship round.
By Andrew Matheson Sports Editor
Stockton – The San Benito 15-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars, after battling their way back through the loser’s bracket, finally met their match on Saturday against Manteca in the championship round.
With already one loss to their record in the double-elimination Central California State Qualifier Tournament, San Benito was narrowly edged 9-8 in the championship, and finished runner-up to Manteca.
“They were a very solid ball club all around. They didn’t make any errors,” Manager Noel Provost said of Manteca. “Of course, we’re disappointed. We hit the ball well. We played well. But Manteca is a well-rounded ball club.”
Manteca was undefeated entering the championship round, and San Benito would have needed to defeat them twice to advance to the state tournament in Lodi.
In the championship round, San Benito and Manteca traded runs in the first three innings, with San Benito holding a slim 8-7 lead after three full innings.
“We got all our runs on solid hits and solid baserunning,” Provost said.
Manteca, however, scored the tying run and the go-ahead run in the top half of the fourth inning to regain a 9-8 lead.
In the sixth, looking to leapfrog Manteca and take back the lead, San Benito loaded the bases with no one out.
The first San Benito batter was hit by a pitch, which would have tied the ball game. However, according to the umpires, the batter did not move to avoid contact with the ball, and was forced to continue batting, Provost said.
He would later strikeout, and an ensuing pop out and ground out would end the sixth inning with the bases loaded.
“Even after a letdown like that, the boys went out and played the seventh inning like they were going to win,” Provost said. “They are very resilient.”
In the seventh, Anthony Alvarez led off with a double, and moved to third base with no outs after a pass ball. However, the next three batters were unable to push the tying run across, and San Benito eventually fell 9-8.
San Benito connected for 12 hits, with Tyler Provost leading the team with a 3-for-4 day. Will Cross and Justin Schlie went 2-for-3, while Adrian Garcia went 2-for-4 and Chad Whitehead went 2-for-5.
Starter Kevin Wilson threw three innings against Manteca, allowing seven runs on eight hits and striking out one. Reliever Cross pitched the remaining four innings, allowing two runs on three hits. He also struck out one batter.
San Benito lost last Monday to Lodi, placing them in the loser’s bracket. The local 15-year-old All-Stars battled back, though, going 3-0 against Ripon, Tracy, and Lodi, and outscored their opponents 41-3, setting up Saturday’s championship against Manteca.
“The players, playing as well as they did, is a tribute to their parents and all the coaches they’ve had in their history,” Provost said. “This is definitely a baseball community, and all these boys showed it.”
Provost also acknowledged his coaches, Greg Larios and Jim Woida. Said Provost, “A blanket thank you to the parents and coaches and everyone who contributed to the boys going this far.”
