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Most games in Pony Baseball last seven innings, but the Los Gatos 14-year-old all-stars decided they only wanted to play five against the Morgan Hill B 'stars on July 23.
After the first four innings in the 14-year-old Sectional Tournament, Los Gatos led Morgan Hill 4-0. The South Valley squad fought back a little in the top of the fifth and scored two runs, but Los Gatos wouldn't have any of it and scored eight runs in the last of the fifth to take the win 12-2 on the 10-run rule.
Los Gatos' big inning in the bottom of the fifth was aided by an error on Morgan Hill to allow Kevin Connelly on base to lead off the inning. Caleb Larson walked but was forced out at second on a ball hit by C.J. Olsen, but an error on the play allowed Connelly to come home.
With a runner on first and one out, Olsen took second on a wild pitch and Robbie Comeau joined Olsen on the bases after drawing a walk. Andy Gomez then cleared the bases with a two-run double and K.C. Silva followed suit when he knocked in Gomez with a double of his own.
Nick Kalpin blasted a single to put runners at the corners and Greg Walters ripped a single to drive in Silva. Kalpin and Walters both came home on a fielding error that allowed Jackson Dallas to reach first. Dallas then scored on a hard single from Larson.
Los Gatos scored its first run in the bottom of the first when Gomez drew a walk and Kalpin was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Kevin Messa knocked a single to load the bases for Paul Politi who singled to bring home Gomez. Morgan Hill was able to get out of the inning without giving up any more runs.
Los Gatos struck again in the bottom of the second when Larson opened up with a single, followed by Olsen who did the same and then Gomez who smashed a single that brought in Larson. Kalpin then crushed a single that brought Olsen home and gave Los Gatos a three-run lead.
The bottom of the third brought another run for Los Gatos when, after one out, Cole Meleyco belted a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. He came home safely when Olsen reached on an error.
Messa led the defense with a fantastic display on the mound. Messa struck out six batters in five innings and only allowed two runs to cross the plate.
Los Gatos then faced the Morgan Hill A team on July 24, but Morgan Hill proved to be too big of a challenge and Los Gatos dropped the game 7-0.
Los Gatos placed second overall in the Sectional Tournament, and Morgan Hill A will move on to the next level of play.
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