The Morgan Hill Assault 11-and-under youth baseball team finished its 2012 season Saturday by winning the United States Specialty Sports Association Winter Championship in Manteca.
The Assault went 4-0, defeating the Walnut Creek Wrecking Crew 13-7 in the championship game. Along the way to a perfect tournament record, the Assault defeated the NorCal Devil Dawgs 8-4, the West Coast Federals 10–4 and the Bernal Bombers 6-5 in the semifinals.
“What is so remarkable is that this team has made it to the championship game in every tournament they have entered this season” Assault coach Vince LaGatta said. “And they have done it with tremendous heart and determination. They were behind in every single game in this tournament, against the best four teams we’ve seen, but they never gave up on themselves or their teammates. They know now that whatever the score, they can come back and win against any team.”
Over the weekend, the offense was led by Cory Taylor, who finished with two triples in the same inning during the championship game. Gio Saso, Zach Gieg and Ryan Swing each contributed at the plate as well.
Will Ansbro, Saso, Vinnie Lagatta and Cory Taylor were solid on the mound for the Assault. The pitching staff received aid by the strong defense of Jack Tomlinson, Karson Mazotti, Will Waxman and Michael Barone.
In four games, the Assault scored a tournament-high 37 runs, while allowing a low of 20. They won each game by an average of 4.25 runs.
With the tournament victory, the team advances to the Majors division in 2013 – the highest level of travel baseball competition in the country.
