Photograph courtesy of Michael Dean
The Yankees won the title in the Saratoga Little League AAA minor division and finished second in the District 12 Tournament of Champions. Members of the squad included (front row, l-r) Andre Cuadra, Austyn Samuels, Nathan Moore, Dennis Chen, Kevin Kong, Mark Kroening and Kevin Carlton, and (back row, l-r) manager Bob Kong, Albert Chiang, Michael Fleming, Bobby Pace, Jason Mighdoll, Michael Dean and coach Greg Dean.
Yanks win title, 2nd at TOC
Quito all-stars unbeaten in District 12 tourney
By Dick Sparrer
The Yankees of the Saratoga Little League stole a page from their Major League namesake this season.
Because just as the New York Yankees won it all in Major League Baseball a year ago, the Yankees of the AAA minor division won it all in the Saratoga Little League in the summer of 2000.
The Yanks posted a 15-3 record to win the regular season title in the Saratoga circuit, and they backed that up with a 4-1 showing in the league playoffs to claim the overall championship. The Yankees had to win three games in four days in the tournament to clinch the league title.
By winning the Saratoga crown, the Yanks won the right to represent the Saratoga Little League at the District 12 Tournament of Champions at the Almaden Little League field.
Saratoga knocked off teams from Lincoln Glen, Cambrian Park and Union to reach the finals of the TOC. The Yankees lost to host Almaden in the title game to wind up second in the district.
Despite the loss, it was still an exceptional season for the Yankees, who posted an outstanding 22-5 season record.
Members of the league championship team included Andre Cuadra, Austyn Samuels, Nathan Moore, Dennis Chen, Kevin Kong, Mark Kroening, Kevin Carlton, Albert Chiang, Michael Fleming, Bobby Pace, Jason Mighdoll and Michael Dean. The club's manager was Bob Kong, and he was assisted by coach Greg Dean.
Major Division
The Angels won the Saratoga Little League major division title this season and advanced to the District 12 Tournament of Champions played at the Quito Little League field.
The Angels jumped out to a 4-0 lead in their TOC opener against the Willow Glen Indians, but ended up losing a tough 8-5 decision. The Indians went on to claim the tournament championship.
The Quito Little League major division champs beat Cambrian Park in their first round game at the TOC, but lost in the semifinals to Almaden.
District 12 Tourney
The District 12 major division all-star tournament is in full swing at Baggerly Field in Los Gatos, and the Quito Little League 'stars are set to face host Los Gatos in the winner's bracket final.
Quito opened with wins over Willow Glen and Saratoga, while Los Gatos knocked off Union, Branham Hills and Cambrian Park.
The clubs will square off in the final winner's bracket game on July 12, 5:30 p.m., at the Los Gatos field in Blossom Hill Park. The winner advances to the tourney title game set for July 15, 10 a.m., in Los Gatos, and the loser drops into the loser's bracket.
Still alive in the tournament's loser's bracket are Saratoga and Almaden, who were to meet on Monday, and Willow Glen and Cambrian Park, who play on July 11, 5:30 p.m. The winners of the two games meet on July 13, 5:30 p.m., with that winner taking on the Los Gatos-Quito loser on July 14, 5:30 p.m. Friday's winner advances to the title game on Saturday against the Los Gatos-Quito winner. An "if necessary" game is slated for July 17, 5:30 p.m.
All games are played at Los Gatos.
Saratoga Little League Rookie of the Year Ross Kundtz
Top Rookie
Ross Kundtz, a 9-year-old who played for the Cubs in the AA division, was named the Rookie of the Year in the Saratoga Little League. The Cubs, under the direction of manager Dennis Farmer and coaches Tony Ellenikiotis and Jay Mandell, won the division championship this season.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
