TRACY – The Spreckles Park Phillies dug themselves an early 5-0 hole, and even their most valiant effort left the club on the brink of elimination after the Manteca Pirates fought off a comeback in a 9-5 victory in the District 67 minor division Tournament of Champions Thursday.
The Pirates wasted little time asserting themselves as the dominant squad, getting a leadoff walk from Alex Gouveia followed by singles from Andrew Brunn and Kyle Rachels for a lightning-quick 1-0 lead. The Pirates didn’t slow up, taking advantage of a handful of first-inning walks into a mercy-shortened 5-0 lead.
The Phillies answered back, matching the Pirates’ formula for success with a leadoff walk from Jamille Grady, who eventually came around to score on a Sam Buxa base hit up the middle. Gouveia, the Pirates’ starting pitcher, worked himself out of trouble with back-to-back strikeouts.
Continuing their season is obviously on each of the Pirates’ heart, as they responded with another pair of runs in the second inning. Kenji Breitenbucher led off the inning with a walk, Gouveia was hit by a pitch and both came around to score on bases loaded Phillies walks.
With the game seemingly on the brink of turning into a blowout, the Phillies mustered up another rally, pushing across a run in the second when Matthew Perapatto scored on a base hit to cut the Phillies deficit to five. A questionable call on an infield-fly ruling left the Phillies coping with a blown opportunity and an uphill climb.
After plating two runs in the bottom of the third, the Phillies were back in striking range with a 7-4 deficit. This only seemed to ignite the Pirates, as their defensive intensity peaked to new levels behind stellar play from middle infielder Logan Quan.
Quan delivered diving play after diving play in the final three frames, saving the Pirates a run with two priceless diving plays in the middle of the field. Quan’s defensive heroics were all the support relief pitcher Brunn needed, as he closed out the final three innings, striking out five and walking two.
The Pirates will get to relax and wait on the outcome of the Northgate Dodgers-Phillies matchup today at 5:30 p.m., with the winner scheduled for a tournament-deciding contest Saturday at 11 a.m.
The A’s loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth, only to leave them stranded, pulling their season to a close.
Tim Couch hit a double and drew a walk for the Dodgers, while teammate Jacob Garcia drew a couple of free passes and scored a run. Couch also plated a run in the win.
The Dodgers and the Spreckles Park Phillies will meet up at 5:30 p.m., with the winner continuing into the championship and the loser’s season ending.
Tyler Soulier plated the Dodgers’ first run, while teammate Tim Couch finished the contest with two hits and two RBIs. Elias Andrews also collected a base hit, while Harrison Heath also drove in a run.
The win left four teams alive and fighting for the District 67 TOC title, with three of the final four clubs hailing from Manteca.
The Pirates wasted little time asserting themselves as the dominant squad, getting a leadoff walk from Alex Gouveia followed by singles from Andrew Brunn and Kyle Rachels for a lightning-quick 1-0 lead. The Pirates didn’t slow up, taking advantage of a handful of first-inning walks into a mercy-shortened 5-0 lead.
The Phillies answered back, matching the Pirates’ formula for success with a leadoff walk from Jamille Grady, who eventually came around to score on a Sam Buxa base hit up the middle. Gouveia, the Pirates’ starting pitcher, worked himself out of trouble with back-to-back strikeouts.
Continuing their season is obviously on each of the Pirates’ heart, as they responded with another pair of runs in the second inning. Kenji Breitenbucher led off the inning with a walk, Gouveia was hit by a pitch and both came around to score on bases loaded Phillies walks.
With the game seemingly on the brink of turning into a blowout, the Phillies mustered up another rally, pushing across a run in the second when Matthew Perapatto scored on a base hit to cut the Phillies deficit to five. A questionable call on an infield-fly ruling left the Phillies coping with a blown opportunity and an uphill climb.
After plating two runs in the bottom of the third, the Phillies were back in striking range with a 7-4 deficit. This only seemed to ignite the Pirates, as their defensive intensity peaked to new levels behind stellar play from middle infielder Logan Quan.
Quan delivered diving play after diving play in the final three frames, saving the Pirates a run with two priceless diving plays in the middle of the field. Quan’s defensive heroics were all the support relief pitcher Brunn needed, as he closed out the final three innings, striking out five and walking two.
The Pirates will get to relax and wait on the outcome of the Northgate Dodgers-Phillies matchup today at 5:30 p.m., with the winner scheduled for a tournament-deciding contest Saturday at 11 a.m.
Northgate Dodgers 5, Tracy Amercian A’s 4
TRACY -- The District 67 Tournament of Champions tourney winner will definitely come out of Manteca, as the Dodgers staved off a late A’s rally to end their season with a 5-4 win.The A’s loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth, only to leave them stranded, pulling their season to a close.
Tim Couch hit a double and drew a walk for the Dodgers, while teammate Jacob Garcia drew a couple of free passes and scored a run. Couch also plated a run in the win.
The Dodgers and the Spreckles Park Phillies will meet up at 5:30 p.m., with the winner continuing into the championship and the loser’s season ending.
Northgate Dodgers 10, Salida Titans 5
TRACY – The Dodgers scored early and often, cruising past the Salida Titans Wednesday.Tyler Soulier plated the Dodgers’ first run, while teammate Tim Couch finished the contest with two hits and two RBIs. Elias Andrews also collected a base hit, while Harrison Heath also drove in a run.
The win left four teams alive and fighting for the District 67 TOC title, with three of the final four clubs hailing from Manteca.
