Vince LaGatta wasn’t making any comparisons to the Pinto
All-Star team he coached to the California World Series in 2010,
but he did have high expectations for his Mustang-9 squad after two
days in their host section tournament
MORGAN HILL
Vince LaGatta wasn’t making any comparisons to the Pinto All-Star team he coached to the California World Series in 2010, but he did have high expectations for his Mustang-9 squad after two days in their host section tournament.
Morgan Hill’s top unit took the seven-team regional qualifier by storm last weekend, beating Fremont 18-1 Sunday and Los Altos/Mountain View’s B team 11-1 Saturday at Britton Middle School.
LaGatta’s team can clinch a section finals berth and a trip to next week’s Central Region tournament with a win Monday against rival Blossom Valley. Game time is 2:30 p.m.
“It’s a different group and a different year,” LaGatta said. “They’ve worked hard, but you can’t go into (the All-Star season) with the expectation of rolling up on people every game. You’ve got to keep performing your best and get the job done. That’s what this team has done so far.”
Jonathan Singleton, one of LaGatta’s few returning players from last year’s Pinto team that placed in the top four in the state, went two for three Sunday. Cory Taylor added two hits, and Will Ansbro pitched three scoreless innings for Morgan Hill.
The A All-Stars also benefited from Gio Saso’s three-for-three effort Saturday.
“We’re really deep as a team,” LaGatta said. “What’s great about these first two games is at some point each of the 12 kids have done something to contribute, which, for a coach, that’s what you look for. You look for everyone getting something done to help us win.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys for the way they’ve handled themselves.”
A loss Monday would send LaGatta’s team to an elimination game at 5:30 p.m. today. If the A All-Stars won Monday, they will play their next game Wednesday in the final round.
The top three teams advance to regionals in Brentwood.
“We’re going to do our best,” LaGatta said. “Some of our guys get to use that experience from last year going forward. We’re not done by any means. If we play hard and play the baseball we can play, we’ll be tough to stop.”
Pete Milos’ Mustang-9 B All-Stars were in a tight spot Saturday after losing their opener 12-2 to Blossom Valley. They rebounded Sunday with a 13-3 win over Los Altos/Mountain View B and are very much alive entering their first game today against Paso Robles at noon.
Morgan Hill B needs to win that game and beat either Fremont or Los Altos/Mountain View A at 5 p.m. Monday to make regionals.
“They’re a great bunch of kids, and we have a good chance of advancing,” Milos said. “The kids came out flat Saturday but looked ready to play Sunday.”
Pablo Causor Jr. earned the game ball against Los Altos/Mountain View B, batting two for three with three RBIs and retiring the side in order to end the game. Colton Moorehead provided ace pitching as well, and Michael Barone went three for four and drove in runs.
PINTO
In a do-or-die local showcase, the Morgan Hill A and B All-Star teams went head to head in elimination play Monday at Britton Middle School, with the A team winning 14-2 to move within two games of playing for a Morgan Hill Section championship.
P.J. Kissee and Logan Wiemann scored twice, with Kissee adding three hits and Wiemann two, and Isaiah Webb tripled and crossed home to lead the A All-Stars, who received solid pitching by Cristian Martinez, Kai Peery and Josh Elam.
Colton Rizzi drove home Gabriel Martinez, then scored on a single by Molly Newquist for the B side.
The A All-Stars play either Blossom Valley 3 or Bel Passi at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
BRONCO-11
Morgan Hill rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday to beat Fremont 6-5 in an elimination game at the Blossom Valley Sectional.
Connor LeDeit won it with an RBI single to right field after Max Duran’s bases-loaded single tied the game at 5-5. The rally started when Cody Paresa reached on an error. Christopher Knopf drew a walk, putting runners at first and second, and Tyler Souza loaded the bases with a bunt single.
Morgan Hill returned to Herman Intermediate School in San Jose that afternoon and lost 14-3 to Los Altos/Mountain View. The locals placed third in the sectional, though, and qualified for the Central Region Tournament.
