By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
RED SOX THUMP O’s
Northgate minors slug past Spreckels in TO
Bulletin Little League 2018
Northgate Red Sox shortstop Anthony Morales reaches out to tag Spreckels Park Orioles baserunner Sergio Hernandez during a District 67 Tournament of Champions minor-division contest in Patterson. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin

PATTERSON — The Northgate Red Sox are a win away from getting another shot at Tracy American, and they’ll have to get past another cross-town rival for the opportunity.
They first slugged past the Spreckels Park Orioles 15-6 Thursday at Patterson Community Sports Complex, setting up a consolation-bracket semifinal with the Manteca Dodgers in the District 67 Minor League Tournament of Champions. Tracy American knocked off Manteca 17-9 in the winners-bracket semifinal after beating Northgate on Tuesday.
Koa Rodriguez led the Red Sox onslaught, going 2 for 2 with two runs, a walk and an RBI double. He also pitched in the sixth inning, striking out the final two batters. Anthony Oteri drilled a triple in the fourth inning and plated three runs.
Northgate never trailed after reaching the five-run limit in the opening frame, getting a hit from J.P. Abrew. Abrew later pitched three innings in relief and struck out eight for the win.
The Red Sox rallied for four more runs in the fourth and four in the fifth, threatening to enforce the 10-run mercy rule. Kyle Wlodrczyk belted a two-run single to left in the fifth and was followed by a run-scoring hit by Isaiah Yanez, who finished with two RBIs. Orioles reliever Leo Ybanez was able to end the fifth and give his team one last turn at the plate with two straight strikeouts.
Spreckels Park did well to stay within striking distance in the early going. Jackson and Gunnar Fay each hit infield singles during a third-inning rally in which the Orioles were able to close in, 6-4. Julian Ruiz knocked in their final two runs in the fourth, poking a sharp single to center. Spreckels Park was limited to those three hits.
Northgate takes on Manteca tonight at 5:30 p.m. The winner faces Tracy American in the championship round Saturday at 2 p.m. with the “if” game set for Sunday morning at 9.

Tracy American 17, Manteca 9
The Tracy American Tigers surged to a 9-1 lead through 3 ½ innings and led wire-to-wire.
Manteca was able to rally for five runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 11-9 before Tracy American scored six unanswered.
Brixton Ortiz reached four times for the Dodgers, going 2 for 2 with two walks, two runs and a double. Louis Rivera went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI. Mateo Esparza scored twice and added a hit. Brayden Hartt and and Mateo Munoz (2 for 3) each hit a double.