As expected, Lodi was San Benito's biggest competitor at the District 1 State Qualifier Tournament in Hollister this week. A recent move by the league that collectively placed each Babe Ruth age group under one umbrella - 13-, 14- and 15-year-olds playing all together - certainly helped raise the bar for the Lodi 13-year-old All-Stars.
But even then, one collective league is something San Benito has been doing for years, and the local All-Stars showcased its positive results when they flexed their muscle Wednesday night in the District 1 championship, jumping out to a 10-0 lead before staving off Lodi's late rally for a 10-4 win.
San Benito now advances to the state tournament, tentatively scheduled for July 24 in Fowler.
"We can run with any team," said San Benito manager Ron Fhurong, who is expecting more talented teams at the state competition. "It seems like the more pressure that's put on us, the better we play."
Below is the latest edition of the San Benito Score, which features Little League action.
Little pressure was applied on San Benito Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister, at least early on, and Patrick Frusetta helped set the tone.
Frusetta punched a two-run single into left field that supplied San Benito with a 2-0 lead, while Cody Asp later blooped a two-run single into right field, giving San Benito a 4-0 cushion after the opening frame.
Starting on the hill, Frusetta (2IP, 1H, 1BB) also kept Lodi silent in the early innings.
Aside from the strong start, though, some players felt San Benito came in a little overconfident, and perhaps for good reason. The local 13-year-olds previously topped Lodi 15-7 to open the tournament, then cruised by Manteca in the semifinals 16-2 before it'd play Lodi once again for the District 1 title.
"I think we came in too confident," said Marcos Perez. "We were relaxed all game, but we won."
San Benito's confidence didn't seem to hurt its offense either. Perez connected on an RBI single down the left field line in the second inning, plating Marco Cosio from second base, while San Benito exploded with a three-spot in the following frame.
After Cody Asp reached by an error, then advanced to second on a fielder's choice, Grant Bigness executed a hit-and-run that scored Asp from second and pushed San Benito out to a 6-0 lead. Later, Bigness stole second before Tyler Fhurong knocked him home with an RBI single to center field, while Fhurong then stole second before Damien Botelho connected on an RBI double to deep left field.
"They were out of pitchers," said Ron Fhurong, noting Lodi's march through the elimination bracket prior to the championship game, which depleted the team's pitching staff. "We took them out of their game and were able to capitalize on it."
And San Benito made it a 10-0 lead in the fourth following a Tyler Fhurong run-scoring double that brought home Bigness. Fhurong, who had two hits and two RBI, would advance to third on a pair of fielder's choice plays, and later score on a wild pitch at the plate.
"They hit the ball all right," Botelho said of Lodi. "But when they started coming back, we got a little worried.
"After they scored, they seemed a little confident and were yelling."
San Benito, up 10-0, needed just three outs in the fifth in order to force the mercy rule, but Lodi sparked a two-out rally and scored three times, including a bases-loaded, two-run single by Travis Dart.
"It did put pressure on us and it made the parents worried," Fhurong said. "But it got us back focusing, and they finished strong."
Lodi added a run later in the sixth, but San Benito's lead was too great, and Lodi's offensive efforts too late.
Although when asked what the team would take from this win, and take with them to state, Perez said, "Don't come in overconfident. Don't take anybody lightly."
At the state tournament, where the competition level is noticeably increased, that should certainly be more difficult.
SB - 413 020 0 - 10 13 0
LD - 000 031 0 - 4 5 2
San Benito Babe Ruth 14
The San Benito Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars won the District 1 State Qualifier Tournament championship 9-1 on Wednesday night against Lodi at Grace David Field in Modesto.
San Benito now advances to the state tournament, scheduled for July 23-24 in Madera. More to come.
Hollister Junior League
The Hollister Junior League All-Stars, after defeating Continental 3-2 on Monday night, will play Continental for the championship on Thursday night at Salinas' Muni Stadium.
First pitch is at 5:30 p.m.
Hollister American 11-12
The Hollister American 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars defeated Hartnell 21-2 at the District 9 Major All-Star Tournament on Tuesday night to advance to Thursday night's semifinal round against Hollister National.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Continental.
Hollister National 11-12
The Hollister National 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars defeated Soledad 8-2 at the District 9 Major All-Star Tournament on Tuesday night to advance to Thursday night's semifinal round against Hollister American.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Continental.
Hollister American 10-11
The Hollister American 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars lost to Hartnell 11-8 at the District 9 All-Star Tournament semifinals on Wednesday night, and will now play Hollister National in the consolation semifinals of the elimination bracket on Thursday night at Gonzales.
First pitch is 7 p.m.
Hollister National 10-11
The Hollister National 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars defeated Continental 8-4 on Monday night in the elimination bracket, then advanced past Ferrasci 4-2 on Tuesday night to advance to the consolation semifinals of the District 9 All-Star Tournament.
Hollister National will play Thursday night against Hollister American at Gonzales.
First pitch is 7 p.m.
Hollister American 9-10 A
The Hollister American 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars defeated Hartnell 12-2 in the consolation semifinals of the District 9 All-Star Tournament on Wednesday night to advance to the championship against Hollister National on Friday at Ferrasci Park.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m.
Hollister National 9-10 A
The Hollister National 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars defeated Hollister American A 10-8 on Tuesday night at the District 9 All-Star Tournament to advance to Friday's championship against Hollister American A.
First pitch is 5:30 p.m., at Ferrasci Park.
San Juan-Aromas 11-12
The San Juan-Aromas 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars lost to Pajaro Valley 10-0 on Tuesday night at the District 39 Major All-Star Tournament, and have been eliminated as a result.
Andrew Matheson Andrew Matheson is a sports writer for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 334 or at amatheson@svnewspapers.com.
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