It took one big swing from Conner Johnson of Tracy American’s 11-year-old all-star team to erase an early 2-0 Spreckels Park lead.
Johnson’s three-run homer to right sparked a seven-score onslaught in the third inning, as Tracy sent Spreckels Park into the consolation bracket of the Little League District 67 All-Star Tournament with Thursday’s 10-4 victory at Lincoln Park.
Johnson would end up 3 for 4 with four RBIs to lead the charge. Harrison Difuntorum followed Johnson’s big shot with a double to continue the no-out rally. Rick Staas (2 for 3, double, two runs) and Damien Hutchins chipped in with back-to-back RBI singles.
Tracy American later loaded the bases. Ronaldo Tijero (2 for 4, two RBIs) walked and Johnson was beaned to drive in the final two runs of the rally.
Relief pitcher Abraham Velasco, the third of four hurlers Spreckels Park used, came in to end the barrage with a strikeout, but the damage was done. Tracy American went on to plate three more runs in the fourth inning to completely take Spreckels Park out of the game.
Things looked promising for Spreckels at the start, however. Shortstop Steven Rios gave the team an early boost by turning a double play in the top half of the first when Tracy American had the bases loaded with one out.
In the bottom half, Mark Vicente and Rios (2 for 4) were each driven in by bases-loaded walks from Nick Relloque and Angel Sena. Spreckels didn’t need a hit to score the runs, drawing three walks to aid its cause, but the bases were left loaded. In the second, Jeremy Parente led off with a double to deep right and was left at third after an inning-ending double play.
Spreckels Park looked to answer Tracy’s outburst in the third. Jaden Pina led off with a single and was driven home by Jesse Ochoa’s base hit to right.
Winning pitcher Cody Bolton did his part in limiting Spreckels, allowing just two runs, both unearned, and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Josh LeLaurin smacked a single to send in the final run in the sixth when Spreckels mounted a last-ditch effort to get back into the game, but a strikeout left the bases loaded.
Spreckels Park will face the winner of tonight’s Tracy National-Weston Ranch contest in the consolation semifinals Friday.
Johnson’s three-run homer to right sparked a seven-score onslaught in the third inning, as Tracy sent Spreckels Park into the consolation bracket of the Little League District 67 All-Star Tournament with Thursday’s 10-4 victory at Lincoln Park.
Johnson would end up 3 for 4 with four RBIs to lead the charge. Harrison Difuntorum followed Johnson’s big shot with a double to continue the no-out rally. Rick Staas (2 for 3, double, two runs) and Damien Hutchins chipped in with back-to-back RBI singles.
Tracy American later loaded the bases. Ronaldo Tijero (2 for 4, two RBIs) walked and Johnson was beaned to drive in the final two runs of the rally.
Relief pitcher Abraham Velasco, the third of four hurlers Spreckels Park used, came in to end the barrage with a strikeout, but the damage was done. Tracy American went on to plate three more runs in the fourth inning to completely take Spreckels Park out of the game.
Things looked promising for Spreckels at the start, however. Shortstop Steven Rios gave the team an early boost by turning a double play in the top half of the first when Tracy American had the bases loaded with one out.
In the bottom half, Mark Vicente and Rios (2 for 4) were each driven in by bases-loaded walks from Nick Relloque and Angel Sena. Spreckels didn’t need a hit to score the runs, drawing three walks to aid its cause, but the bases were left loaded. In the second, Jeremy Parente led off with a double to deep right and was left at third after an inning-ending double play.
Spreckels Park looked to answer Tracy’s outburst in the third. Jaden Pina led off with a single and was driven home by Jesse Ochoa’s base hit to right.
Winning pitcher Cody Bolton did his part in limiting Spreckels, allowing just two runs, both unearned, and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Josh LeLaurin smacked a single to send in the final run in the sixth when Spreckels mounted a last-ditch effort to get back into the game, but a strikeout left the bases loaded.
Spreckels Park will face the winner of tonight’s Tracy National-Weston Ranch contest in the consolation semifinals Friday.
