Morgan Hill A defeats Morgan Hill C Monday
MORGAN HILL — The Morgan Hill Pinto A All-Stars have referred to their host sectional tournament as a journey to the World Series, a one-game-at-a-time passage that is one victory away from being complete.
Jonathan Singleton and Gio Saso belted three-run homers, and four pitchers combined for a solid evening Monday as Morgan Hill A beat Morgan Hill C 12-1 to reach the championship round of the Morgan Hill Sectional.
The A All-Stars will return to Britton Middle School on Thursday to face one of three teams remaining in the loser’s bracket. The other finalist — be it Morgan Hill C, Paso Robles or Blossom Valley 3 — will need to beat them twice to win the title and secure an invite to the Pinto World Series in San Jose.
Whoever the next challenger is, Morgan Hill A will be ready.
“Whatever the name on the other team’s jersey is, it’s just another team to our guys,” manager Vince LaGatta said. “They just go out and play baseball. Now, they’re one step away from the World Series.”
The A All-Stars have outscored their opponents 37-2 in the double-elimination tournament, which began with five teams. Their dominant pitching was on display again Monday as Karson Mazotti, Cory Taylor, Vinnie LaGatta and Singleton kept Morgan Hill B from rallying.
Singleton’s three-run blast gave Morgan Hill A a five-run lead, and Saso’s home run put the game out of reach.
Morgan Hill C scored its run on a bases-loaded walk after Nathan Medeiros singled.
The C All-Stars can earn a championship rematch with Morgan Hill A on Wednesday when they face the winner of today’s elimination game between Blossom Valley 3 and Paso Robles. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
“It’s very important for us to be in the winner’s bracket still,” LaGatta said. “We get another day to rest and set up our lineup, and it keeps us from having a loss end our tournament. We have all our positions set.”
