Local team advances with 6-3 win Wednesday in Northern
California Regional
SAN JOSE — Examining postgame celebrations was, perhaps, the easiest way to spot contenders this past week at the Northern California Bronco 12 Regional.
There was hardly any celebration after the Morgan Hill All-Stars played. One because they haven’t lost; two because they are a professional bunch; and three because they have loftier goals than regionals.
In dispatching West Diablo Valley, 6-3, with determined grace Wednesdayunder the lights in PAL Stadium, Morgan Hill took another huge step toward the crown jewel of Pony Baseball. It advanced to the championship round of the double-elimination tournament and was one victory away from making the Aug. 4-11 World Series.
That they were the last undefeated club left in the eight-team regional meant the Morgan Hill All-Stars had to be beaten twice in the finals. They played the first championship game Thursday night against the winner of an earlier contest between West Diablo Valley and Bel Passi. A rematch, if necessary, is on the docket for 6 p.m. today.
“This was a huge win, a must-win,” Morgan Hill manager Dave Affourtit said. “It took a lot of pressure off. We don’t know who we’re going to face, but it’s going to be a good team either way.”
Morgan Hill had to play Thursday without its ace pitcher, Mark Quinby, who exhausted his five-inning limit in a brilliant all-around effort Wednesday.Quinby worked three shutout innings, struck out six and scored the go-ahead run. The righty outdueled West Diablo Valley’s James Vacarro, who fanned seven in six innings.
Both pitchers are available today.
“We had to go with ‘Big Red’ today. We had to give ourselves the best chance to win,” Morgan Hill coach Mike Zanotto said when asked why Quinby got the start. “He came through again for us.”
Quinby, who pitched a brilliant 4 1-3 innings for no-decision Saturday against Bel Passi, picked up his first victory of the tournament. Ben Hughes struck out three in a hitless final two innings to get the save.
Winners of seven straight, the Morgan Hill All-Stars beat scrappy West Diablo Valley at its own game, relying on clutch situational hitting and relentless base running.
Morgan Hill collected only five hits — each from a different player.
“We had to be aggressive. That was very important,” Zanotto said. “West Diablo had only given up three runs in this tournament, so we had to score anyway we could.”
Quinby and Alejandro Torres did their part in the top of the first inning, clubbing back-to-back RBI doubles. Quinby drove home Mike Porras with a bloop to deep left field, then scored on Torres’ drive down the first-base line. Ethan Cox provided some trademark power in the third with a solo home run that upped Morgan Hill’s lead to 3-0.
“That was very big,” Affourtit said. “Anytime your number-seven hitter goes deep it loosens things up.”
Morgan Hill drew three consecutive walks to begin the sixth inning and went ahead, 4-3, when Quinby crossed home on a passed ball. Travis Moulden did the same during the next at-bat.
Hughes plated Josh Alaniz on a sacrifice fly in the seventh after Alaniz led off with a double.
“We had to keep scoring insurance runs, keep distancing ourselves from them,” Zanotto said. “We knew we couldn’t let up.”
Vacarro clubbed a two-run homer in the second to make it 3-2, and Neil Kelley tied it in the fifth on a bizarre play. Kelley was on third base when Scotty Smoot drew a walk and made a break for second base. Kelley scored during the ensuing run-down.
“That was a Mustang play. I can’t believe that got by us,” Affourtit said. “They pulled even, but our guys didn’t break down. They’re mature enough to handle stuff like that.
“They’re maturing right before our very eyes.”
