The Morgan Hill Mustang-9 A All-Stars have earned a break from
their host section tournament
MORGAN HILL
The Morgan Hill Mustang-9 A All-Stars have earned a break from their host section tournament.
The locals kept their noses to the grindstone Monday against rival Blossom Valley, churning out several key defensive plays in an 11-8 triumph that clinched a berth in the championship round and a spot in next week’s Central Regional in Brentwood.
At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Britton Middle School the A All-Stars play either Blossom Valley or Paso Robles in Game 1 of the Morgan Hill Section finals, where Morgan Hill has to be beaten twice. A second game is scheduled for Thursday at the same time.
On Tuesday, the third day of competition, the locals rested.
“It’s been a great tournament for us so far,” Morgan Hill manager Vince LaGatta said. “We’ve been preaching all of training camp and all practice long about taking 12 players to contribute to win a game. In the three games we’ve played, all 12 have had an impact.”
Monday it was Ryan Swing, who batted two for two and made a fully extended diving catch in left field for a crucial out.
Cooper Callison made an equally clutch play to end the game, running down a line drive in left and throwing home to catcher Cory Taylor in time to get the final out.
“We were strong defensively,” LaGatta said. “We made plays all over the field.”
That is the usual recipe for success against Blossom Valley. Morgan Hill also had good pitching by Will Ansbro, who held BV to three runs in as many innings, and an RBI double by Zack Gieg.
“Both teams have a lot of respect for each other,” LaGatta said. “We’re both good programs, so it’s a great competitive rivalry. We’re more excited about playing well than beating them. We could definitely see them again in the finals or at regionals.”
BRONCO-11
Adding on to Monday’s update, the Morgan Hill Bronco-11 All-Stars placed third in the Blossom Valley Sectional and will be back in action as well next week at Regionals.
PONY, MUSTANG
Morgan Hill has two Mustang All-Star teams competing in a host section tournament, beginning Saturday at Britton Middle School, and two Pony teams opening play in the Los Gatos Sectional that same day at Fisher Middle School.
BRONCO
On July 16, Morgan Hill’s Bronco All-Stars begin play in a Blossom Valley Sectional at a site to be determined.
PALOMINO
Morgan Hill plays in a Santa Clara Regional beginning July 21.
