Morgan Hill’s Bronco 12 Green All-Stars open play in the
championship round of their host sectional tonight
MORGAN HILL — Moments after his Green All-Star team pushed aside Los Altos/Mountain View by a score of 12-2 Saturday, Morgan Hill coach Mike Zanotto met his opposing manager, Steve Benedetti, at home plate for a friendly round of Q and A.
Benedetti couldn’t help but ask where some of Morgan Hill’s players came from. Bendetti didn’t recall seeing them two years ago, when his team bested Zanotto’s on the way to winning a Mustang section championship. He didn’t remember “the big lefty,” Mike Porras; the “big red head,” Mark Quinby; or the quick-throwing catcher, Sam Aptekar.
“He was that impressed,” Zanotto said. “I told him, ‘they were there, man.’ He just shook his head. Our guys grew up fast.”
In a literal and figurative sense, Zanotto was spot on. His close-knit group of elite players have matured quickly over the years, honing their skills in top-notch tournaments before the start of the All-Star season. They captured a Pinto section title in 2006, a Bronco 11 crown in 2008 and, with Saturday’s victory, a chance to play for a third section championship in their host tournament.
They will meet Los Altos/Mountain View again at 5:30 p.m. today at Britton Middle School and, if necessary, at the same time Tuesday. Los Altos/Mountain View had to beat undefeated Green twice to claim the top prize, plus an automatic trip to the Northern California Regional.
“It’s like a blur at this point,” Zanotto said when asked to recount some of the stats from Saturday’s game, which ended by mercy rule after five innings. “There is a pattern where we 10-run teams, and you lose track of what guys got into the game.”
The Morgan Hill Green All-Stars’ last setback came during a Fourth of July-weekend tournament game against rival Blossom Valley. They have since won 15 straight.
Although more accustomed to victory, Zanotto said his players are driven by defeat. They upended Blossom Valley in a section final last year only to be dealt one back during regionals.
“These kids have been beaten before,” Zanotto said. “They’ve had that experience. They know what it feels like to lose, which is why they don’t let up. There’s no relent in them. Everyone wants to keep scoring.”
Therein lies the only sure way to survive sectionals. While the Green All-Stars ultimately hope to play in the upcoming Bronco World Series, they aren’t taking any opponent lightly.
“Every team at this point is good, is dangerous,” Zanotto said. “(Los Altos/Mountain View) beat Fremont 9-0 yesterday, and Fremont gave us a scare a few days ago. That shows you how good they are.
“People say we’re on a collision course again with (Blossom Valley); that we’ll meet in regionals. That could very well be the case, but we’re not looking past any team.”
Porras struck out four in as many innings, and Ben Hughes provided a base-clearing double Saturday, as the Green All-Stars handed Los Altos/Mountain View its first loss in the six-team double-elimination tournament. Porras chipped in an RBI double of his own.
Los Altos/Mountain View advanced out of the loser’s bracket by beating Fremont, which defeated Morgan Hill’s Gold All-Stars 4-1 in an elimination game Saturday morning.
The Green All-Stars cruised by Blossom Valley ‘3’ on Friday, parlaying a nine-run third inning into an 18-0 triumph. Porras had five RBIs and three hits through the first three innings, and Quinby doubled, singled and was intentionally walked. Pat Muller added a lead-off triple in the fourth.
Aptekar, who had three putouts Saturday, looked just as impressive on the hill. He had six strikeouts, four walks and no hits through three innings.
Zanotto planned to start the “big red head” tonight.
“There’s excitment right now,” he said. “They’re ready to go. They’re not content.”
SATURDAY
Fremont 4, MH Bronco 12 Gold 1
Facing elimination, the Morgan Hill Gold All-Stars received a complete-game effort from Justin Dziuba, but produced little offense.
Zachary Clinger mustered two hits, and Jesse Osuna one for Morgan Hill.
“Justin really kept us in that game,” Gold manager John Bennett said. “This was a great group of kids. They’ve come a long way and they’re getting better and better.”
Dziuba struck out 13 of his 21 batters in the full seven innings at Britton Middle School.
MH Mustang Green 11, Vacaville 7
Morgan Hill’s Mustang Green All-Stars opened the PAL Region Tournament with a victory, but fell into the loser’s bracket with a 7-2 loss to Blossom Valley on Sunday.
Morgan Hill continues play at 7 p.m. Tuesday in PAL Stadium.
