Staff reports of the
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
WESTON RANCH — An all-Spreckels Park Little League winner’s bracket semifinal is a couple wins away from happening after both of its junior division clubs earned shutout victories in the District 67 Tournament of Champions Sunday at Paul E. Weston Park.
Both teams had dominant pitching performances, with the Titans defeating the Patterson Braves 13-0, and the Bulldogs crushing co-host Weston Ranch Defenders, 15-0.
Frankie Chavez followed up Anthony Flores’ superb performance from Saturday with his own, recording a complete-game one-hitter while striking out nine. In Saturday’s 8-3 opening win against the Mountain House Red Sox, Flores took a no-hitter into the sixth and finished with seven strikeouts while yielding three runs on four hits.
The Spreckels Park Bulldogs widened the gap in the fourth inning Sunday behind Tyler Ray Hewitt’s leadoff double and ensuing back-to-back singles from Logan Sanders and Chavez to make it 7-0.
The margin was doubled with seven more in the sixth, a rally highlighted by Anthony Flores’ two-run double.
Sanders finished 2 for 3 with three runs and four steals. Chavez helped his cause with three steals and three walks.
Chavez gave up his only hit during an eight-pitch fourth. Infielder Brennan Koeller helped limit the damage by turning an unassisted double play at third base before Chavez induced a pop up to right on his next offering.
On the other end of the bracket, the Spreckels Park Titans had just an easy time in dispatching Patterson. Marc Wilson was in full command for 3 2/3 innings from the mound, scattering a single hit while striking out seven. Josh English preserved the five-inning shutout in relief.
Leadoff hitter Makana Ward drilled a triple to notch the first of 13 hits. Buddy Reeder (2 for 2, 2B, four RBIs), Jayson Manuta (2 for 2, two runs) and English (2 for 3) led the hit parade.
Gerald Parente contributed a two-run double during an eight-run fourth inning.
The two Spreckels Park teams could meet Saturday in the semifinals with wins on Wednesday. The Bulldogs will face Tracy American at 4 p.m., with the Titans and Weston Ranch Ports meeting in the nightcap.
— Jonamar Jacinto
