The Morgan Hill Pony Baseball
“A” All-Star team won all six of its games over the Memorial
Weekend, in claiming the title at the 19th Annual Seaside Memorial
Tournament. The same squad finished in third place in 2003, and was
determined to take the title this year. Morgan Hill won five of its
six games by the 10-run “mer
cy” rule, outscoring the competition 67-7.
The Morgan Hill Pony Baseball “A” All-Star team won all six of its games over the Memorial Weekend, in claiming the title at the 19th Annual Seaside Memorial Tournament. The same squad finished in third place in 2003, and was determined to take the title this year. Morgan Hill won five of its six games by the 10-run “mercy” rule, outscoring the competition 67-7.
Morgan Hill 10, Seaside 0: Facing the host team in its opening game, Morgan Hill jumped to a 6-run lead in the first inning. Kevin Grove’s double drove in Billy Hill and Matt Cummins, who both had walked. Jonathan Hughes and winning pitcher James Johnson both singled, and Jacob Dexter added a 2-RBI double. Morgan Hill closed the game out in the 5th inning.
MH 10, Rocklin Patriots 0: After a day off, the team won its second 10-0 game, as Jacob Dexter and Matt Cummins combined on a no-hitter. Hatakeyama continued his torrid hitting with another RBI double, and Adam Perez also added 2 hits, including the game clincher in the bottom of the 6th. The highlight of the game came on Grove’s only at bat, with the bases loaded he blasted a grand slam over the 360 foot center-field scoreboard.
MH 13, Walnut Creek 3: In their final pool play game, Ryan Evanger led the way, pitching three shutout innings (2 hits, 3 K’s, 0 walks) and matched Grove’s slam with one of his own – deep over the left field fence, breaking open a tight game in the 3rd inning.
MH 11, Salinas 1: As the top seed in their pool, Morgan Hill faced Salinas in their second game on Sunday. For the first time in the tournament, Morgan Hill fell behind, as Salinas plated a run in the top of the 1st inning. However, Morgan Hill responded by matching that run, and then scoring ten runs in the next two innings. Smith, Perez, and winning pitcher Woodworth all scored twice, and Grove added two RBI’s.
MH 8, Mid-County 2: In Monday’s semi-final, Morgan Hill faced the squad that sent 6 of their players to the Little League World Series two years ago in Williamsport, Pa. Mid-County jumped on top in the first inning, with a one-out double and an RBI-single. Morgan Hill responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, as Perez doubled and Grove walked with two outs. Jonathan Hughes laced a single to left field scoring both runs.
MH 15, Rocklin 1: In an anti-climactic tourney final, Morgan Hill had a re-match with Rocklin, and although winning pitcher Jacob Dexter allowed a first-inning run, the Patriots were no match for Morgan Hill.
For the tournament, Joe Woodworth led the team in hitting (0.667, 6-for-9, with 8 runs scored), Kevin Grove in RBI’s & slugging average (10 RBI’s, 0.818 slugging average), James Johnson (14 K’s, 0 walks) and Jacob Dexter (13 K’s, 2 hits) in pitching. Grove was named MVP of the tournament.
The team is now re-assembled, and will be playing this summer in their effort to return to the West Zone Pony Baseball tournament in Fullerton, Calif., and an opportunity to represent Morgan Hill in the PONY World Series, held in Washington, Pa. in mid-August.
