But despite their best efforts, the Lincoln Glen 11-year-old all-stars eventually suffered their third loss in the District 12 tournament, falling 8-5 to unbeaten Saratoga.

They didn't go quietly, though.

After trailing 4-1 after one inning, Lincoln Glen muscled up and tied the game in the top of the third. Blake Jacobson drew a walk to open the inning. An out later, Jason De La Rocha was patient at the plate and worked his way on via a walk before Reilly sent his shot to straightaway center for a three-run jack to tie the game. Saratoga regained its composure and shut down Lincoln Glen in order to end the inning.

Saratoga battled right back in the bottom of the third for a run but Lincoln Glen answered right back with another run in the top of the fourth.

Nate Dickman walked, but was thrown out when Mikey Riley grounded a ball to third. Riley, though, beat the throw on the back end of the double play. Chris Guiffre ripped a single up the middle to put two runners on. Both Riley and Guiffre advanced on a wild pitch to put two runners in scoring position, then before Austin Hatfield blooped a flare over the second baseman's head to score Riley. With runners at the corners, De La Rocha ripped a line drive back up the middle but the Saratoga pitcher was able to catch it before it took his head off.

With the game tied 5-5, Saratoga went on to score three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the win, but both teams battled hard.

Lincoln Glen's only other run came in the top of the first when Jacobson reached on an error by the first baseman. Hatfield hit a ground ball to the second baseman who stepped on second and tried for the double play, but Hatfield was too close and beat the throw. De La Rocha walked and Reilly ripped a single to load the bases before the Saratoga pitcher let one get away and Hatfield scored and the other two runners both advanced. With runners at second and third, Lincoln Glen couldn't come up with any more hits and Saratoga was able to get out of the inning with no more harm done.

The other members of the Lincoln Glen team included Austin Green, Michael Johnston, Joe DeCecicco, Mark Amman and Joe Gigantino.

Lincoln Glen lost 6-4 to San Jose American and 6-4 to Willow Glen before losing to Saratoga. The local all-stars finished up the tournament with a 1-3 record after beating Branham Hills 4-2 on Saturday.

Willow Glen, meanwhile, posted a 2-2 record to tie for second place in the North Pool. Along with the win over rival Lincoln Glen, Willow Glen beat Almaden North 12-11 but lost 5-2 to Saratoga and dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to Branham Hills.

It was that loss to Branham that cost Willow Glen a trip to the tournament playoffs. Branham, Willow Glen and American tied for second with matching 2-2 records behind Saratoga's 4-0 mark. Branham Hills won the tiebreaker, and was to play Union in the tourney semifinals on Monday. The winner will face the Saratoga-Cambrian Park semi winner on July 12, 5:30 p.m., at the Los Gatos Little League field.

Members of the Willow Glen 11-year-old all-star team included Scott Canha, Tim Emory, Chase Enzweiler, Joey Gotelli, Chas Grimm, James Hatano, Will Hein, James Johnson, Daniel Reiton, Zach Savedra, Domenic Vaiasicca and James Wallace.