Saratoga was to face Los Gatos National on July 18 with the winner to meet the Cambrian Park-Lincoln Glen winner on July 18, 5:30 p.m., on the Lincoln Glen field to determine the championship.

Saratoga's game against Lincoln Glen was a tough battle, but the locals were able to come away with a big win. Saratoga took the lead with a run in the top of the second and then extended that lead to 3-0 in the top of the fifth. The locals had a small scare in the bottom of the sixth, but were able to keep it together to finish out the win.

In the fifth, with one out and no one on, Cammie Schmelzer belted a line drive to right, but was out by the second baseman when Zach Hansen reached on a fielder's choice. Robbie Parden lifted a flare over the left side for a base knock that advanced Hansen to second. With two on and two out, Trevor Hanks ripped a single that scored both Hansen and Parden and left Hanks on second after the throw to the plate. Matt Wong grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.

Saratoga had scored in the top of the second when, with one out, Hanks ripped a single and advanced when Wong reached on an error. Hanks scored on a single by Matt Round before Lincoln Glen could get out of the inning.

Saratoga made another attempt in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with one out on hits by Parden, Michael Hoffman and K.J. Carta-Samuels, but couldn't get any in.

Ryan Johnson did the majority of the pitching for Saratoga, but Stevie Berman came on in relief in the bottom of the sixth to finish out the game. Johnson struck out four and gave up only one run on four hits. Berman struck out one, walked one and allowed no runs in his appearance despite coming into the game with no outs and runners in scoring position.

Saratoga defeated always dangerous Almaden South 4-3 on July 12 for its first win of the tournament. Berman was the big hitter, going 2 for 3 with a double, a triple, an RBI and a run scored. Kyle Dozier also went 2 for 3 with a pair of base knocks and a run scored, Carta-Samuels singled and scored a run, Matt Wong singled, scored a run and drove home a run and Johnson knocked in a run.

Saratoga's first game of the tournament against Cambrian Park was a different story. Cambrian Park defeated Saratoga 10-0 in four innings and allowed only one hit by Johnson in the bottom of the second.

Major division

The Saratoga Little League major division all-star team will compete in the District 12 semifinals this week. The locals finished first in pool play to win a place in the semi's. They were to meet Union on Monday with the winner moving on to face the Los Gatos National-Lincoln Glen winner on July 20, 5:30 p.m., in the district championship game at Saratoga's Congress Springs Park.

Saratoga opened the tourney with three straight wins, beating Los Gatos American 11-6, Quito 14-2 and Branham Hills 13-7 before losing an 18-17 slugfest to Cambrian Park last Saturday.