The San Benito County Babe Ruth League 13 and 14 year-old
All-Stars are making a nice run in their respective District 1
Tournaments, albeit taking different paths.
The San Benito County Babe Ruth League 13 and 14 year-old All-Stars are making a nice run in their respective District 1 Tournaments, albeit taking different paths. The SBC 13’s won two tight, low-scoring contests, while the 14’s won by scores of 15-3 and 10-2.
The 13’s had, perhaps, the biggest win for a 13 year-old club in sometime, tripping up host Bel Passi 5-3 on Sunday in Modesto. That followed on the heels of a 4-2 victory over Ripon on Saturday.
The Bel Passi game was a gut-wrencher for the SBC 13’s had a 5-0 lead before Bel Passi rallied in the seventh. Bel Passi scored its three runs and had the tying runs aboard, but the SBC 13’s got out of it with further damage.
Roman Miranda had two hits. Ronnie Fhurong pitched four innings for the win.
In the win over Ripon, the SBC 13’s scored two runs in the seventh to win that game.
They now play Oakdale on Tuesday at 8 p.m. A win puts the SBC 13’s in Thursday’s 5 p.m. championship game holding the coveted hammer. Nathan Hopkins is slated to start on the mound for the SBC 13’s.
Kraig Klauer said one shouldn’t be fooled by the 10-2 win vs. Modesto Sunday.
“It was closer than that,” said Klauer.
The SBC 14’s didn’t score until the fourth when Kevin Medeiros tagged up from second base on a deep fly ball to right by Isaiah Zamorez.
“The relay in was short, so I waved Kevin around third,” said Klauer. “They were more worried about Kevin leaving early and appealed it, but the play was upheld.”
The SBC 14’s plated five runs in the sixth and four more runs in the seventh to break the game open. Medeiros, who had a single, scored three times in the game. Zamorez went 2-4 and had 3RBI.
Carlos Ramos, who pitched all seven innings for the win, also singled in the sixth.
Klauer called for a squeeze play with the bases loaded with Jason Andrade at the plate. Modesto ended up throwing the ball away on the play and all three baserunners scored.
“Once we got past their No.1 pitcher, we were in good shape,” said Klauer. “He didn’t give us much.”
The SBC 14’s have the ultimate challenge Tuesday when they encounter defending champ Bel Passi at 5:30 p.m. at Monta Vista Field in Tracy. The winner of that game moves into Saturday’s title game holding the hammer.
