Both the San Lorenzo Valley 11-and-12-year-old All-Stars and the Scotts Valley 10-and-11-year-old All-Stars have made it into the finals of their respective tournaments.
11- and-12-year-old division
The SLV 11-and-12s were 3-1 going into a game against the undefeated Hollister National after press time Wednesday, July 21, for a chance to play the team a second time and win the double-elimination tournament.
SLV’s road was not an easy one. After winning the District 39 tournament July 10, the Cougars defeated North Valley 8-6 on Saturday, July 17. In their second game, SLV fell to Hollister National, 9-4, thrusting the team into the losers bracket.
The team bounced back, however, beating North Valley a second time, 4-2, and then bouncing Saratoga from the tournament with a 12-9 win Tuesday, July 20.
Against Saratoga, Keenan Neu blasted two homers, including the go-ahead run and game-winner in the sixth inning, with the game tied 8-8.
Along with an RBI by Bryce Nunes and two by Robbie Carling, SLV piled on four runs in the inning to take a 12-8 lead.
Jared Trader closed out the game, allowing one unearned run.
To advance to the state tournament, SLV must beat Hollister National twice, because Hollister was undefeated going into Wednesday’s contest.
For information: www.slvlittleleague.org
10-and-11-year-old division
The Scotts Valley 10-and-11-year-olds played in a potential championship game after press time Wednesday.
Going into the game, the team was on a roll after knocking off Hollister on Saturday by a score of 8-7. On Monday, July 19, they defeated Campbell Little League 11-1 after inducing the 10-run mercy rule in the fourth inning.
The team played the winner of a game between Los Gatos American and Campbell that had been postponed due to darkness Tuesday.
Success Wednesday night would earn the team a chance to play in the Northern California Championship starting Saturday, July 24, in Danville.
