The co-host All-Star teams of the Morgan Hill Section Pinto
Tournament have a showdown this evening at Britton Middle
School
MORGAN HILL — Two Morgan Hill teams, one Morgan Hill Pinto Section finals berth: Vince La Gatta and Randy Romriell had a feeling it would come to this.
The two managers guided their respective Gold and Green All-Star teams to a decisive showdown at 5:30 p.m. today at Britton Middle School.
The stakes say much about both teams.
“This was the way it was supposed to be, I guess,” said La Gatta, whose Gold team opened the five-team double-elimination tournament 1-1. “We’re the home teams, it’s too bad one of us has to lose.”
Added Romriell: “It’s going to be an exciting game no matter what. It’s fun for the kids and fans; a lot of people are going to be there.”
The winner advances to the section championship series needing to beat San Jose Pacific, the top team out of the winner’s bracket, twice to make regionals. The first game is Tuesday, and the second (if necessary) is scheduled for Wednesday — both at 5:30 p.m. at Britton.
A victory tonight would continued an already impressive turnaround for Romriell’s team, which dropped its first game 4-1 to San Jose Pacific. Donald Ukanwa drove in Damon Rodriguez for the Green All-Stars’ only run. Both came through in a bigger way Saturday to help rout Blossom Valley ‘3’ by 10-run rule, 13-0. Rodriguez and Ukanwa had two hits apiece, with Rodriguez doubling and Ukanwa collecting two RBIs. Green pitchers Ben Buckman, Garret Spriggs, Giovanni Saso and Marcus Hernandez combined for a one-hitter. Saso also had two hits.
Still facing elimination Sunday, Green continued that trend with a 7-3 victory over Seaside. Buckman highlighted it with a base-clearing triple for two runs, and Marcus Hernandez made a spectacular catch in center field.
“It was a great effort all around,” Romriell said. “It was good for us to bounce back.”La Gatta’s squad secured a quicker path to tonight’s bout by beating Blossom Valley 9-5 Friday. The Gold All-Stars received two RBIs from Jonathan Singleton, who also played well at catcher, plus superb pitching from Colton Moorehead. Teammate Samantha Brenny reached base four times.
“Those were our keys,” said La Gatta, whose team totaled 14 hits. “We played good defense, we pitched well and we got guys on base. It was a solid win.”
La Gatta was impressed with his team’s newfound camaraderie.
“We came together well. The kids talked it up all week at practice and in the games,” the first-year All-Star skipper said. “They really encouraged each other.”
Against San Jose Pacific, the Gold team could not get their bats going. Morgan Hill struck out 16 times and mustered two hits in a 4-2 loss.
“It was still a good game,” La Gatta said. “We threw the ball around a little in one inning, but we made some plays.
“They had great pitching. We’ll have to do much better to beat (Green). Whatever happens, we’re going to play our best and see where the chips fall.”
NOTE: Also in Pinto play, Morgan Hill’s Grey and Black All-Star teams were eliminated from the six-team San Jose Section Tournament after losing their first two games.
