TRACY – Down 8-2 heading into their last at-bat Saturday at Jefferson School, the Spreckels Park Little League Minor Division champion Dodgers stunned just about everyone in the ballpark.
Racking up eight runs in the top of the sixth, the Dodgers upset the Salida Giants, 10-8, to remain undefeated in District 67 Tournament of Champions play.
Salida, which won the District 67 championship a year ago, was the heavy favorite and bolstered its commanding lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
“We knew coming in that we were going to play a very good team,” Dodgers skipper Jon Shaefer said. “We knew they were the real deal.”
But starting with a Darrion Kiston walk, an Austin Peireira walk and a Chase Costa single, the Dodgers (20-1) began to believe in the decisive frame.
Cody Obrochta singled and Danny Aguilar walked, setting up Jonathon Shaefer who tied the game with an RBI walk that scored Cameron Ceja.
Kitson became the hero soon after, as his double plated Mark Vicente and Steven Rios with the go-ahead runs.
“Our players never gave up, which would have been easy to do being down six runs,” Shaefer said. “I’m very proud of the way we were able to battle back.”
With Giants on second and third in the home half, Chase Costa was able to shut the door and collect the save.
“Chase did a great job of focusing and not letting outside distractions bother him,” Shaefer said. “We definitely shocked Salida and the crowd with our comeback.”
Shaefer singled in Vicente in the top of the first to take an early lead.
Rios sacrificed home Ceja in the third to pull within a run.
Up next for the Dodgers will be another winner’s bracket tilt, Monday at 5:30 p.m. on Field 2.
Vincent Armendariz and Colton Mallette both went yard in a two-run first for the Sox.
Derek Gordon roped a double in the sixth and scored on Mallette’s ensuing single.
Juan Ramos capped the two-run frame with an RBI single of his own.
Weston Ranch will now gear up for a rematch with Northgate today at 9 a.m. for the right to meet Tracy National in the championship round Monday at 6 p.m.
Northgate 7, Tracy American 5
The Yankees won their second straight consolation bracket tilt thanks to a six-run third.
Adrian Afelleje hit a three-run triple in the decisive frame and Manuel Martinez ripped an RBI single.
Jacob Alvarado got the start and the win for the Yankees, while Jess Spivey collected the save.
Jake Larkin added an RBI single.
Racking up eight runs in the top of the sixth, the Dodgers upset the Salida Giants, 10-8, to remain undefeated in District 67 Tournament of Champions play.
Salida, which won the District 67 championship a year ago, was the heavy favorite and bolstered its commanding lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
“We knew coming in that we were going to play a very good team,” Dodgers skipper Jon Shaefer said. “We knew they were the real deal.”
But starting with a Darrion Kiston walk, an Austin Peireira walk and a Chase Costa single, the Dodgers (20-1) began to believe in the decisive frame.
Cody Obrochta singled and Danny Aguilar walked, setting up Jonathon Shaefer who tied the game with an RBI walk that scored Cameron Ceja.
Kitson became the hero soon after, as his double plated Mark Vicente and Steven Rios with the go-ahead runs.
“Our players never gave up, which would have been easy to do being down six runs,” Shaefer said. “I’m very proud of the way we were able to battle back.”
With Giants on second and third in the home half, Chase Costa was able to shut the door and collect the save.
“Chase did a great job of focusing and not letting outside distractions bother him,” Shaefer said. “We definitely shocked Salida and the crowd with our comeback.”
Shaefer singled in Vicente in the top of the first to take an early lead.
Rios sacrificed home Ceja in the third to pull within a run.
Up next for the Dodgers will be another winner’s bracket tilt, Monday at 5:30 p.m. on Field 2.
MAJOR DIVISION
Tracy National 6, Weston Ranch 4
The Red Sox came awfully close to toppling Tracy Saturday at Neil Hafley School, as a fly ball out that was recorded in right thanks to some interesting positioning sealed the deal with the bases loaded.Tracy National 6, Weston Ranch 4
Vincent Armendariz and Colton Mallette both went yard in a two-run first for the Sox.
Derek Gordon roped a double in the sixth and scored on Mallette’s ensuing single.
Juan Ramos capped the two-run frame with an RBI single of his own.
Weston Ranch will now gear up for a rematch with Northgate today at 9 a.m. for the right to meet Tracy National in the championship round Monday at 6 p.m.
Northgate 7, Tracy American 5
The Yankees won their second straight consolation bracket tilt thanks to a six-run third.
Adrian Afelleje hit a three-run triple in the decisive frame and Manuel Martinez ripped an RBI single.
Jacob Alvarado got the start and the win for the Yankees, while Jess Spivey collected the save.
Jake Larkin added an RBI single.
— Brandon Petersen
