The Morgan Hill host Pony 13 team started off the Sectional
Tournament at Britton School by slamming the door on Saratoga
6-2.
The Morgan Hill host Pony 13 team started off the Sectional Tournament at Britton School by slamming the door on Saratoga 6-2. The team faces Los Gatos on July 4 at 3 p.m. at Britton School as the tournament continues.
James Johnson and Adam Perez both had infield singles in the first inning, but the Saratoga defense and pitching prevented any runs.
In the bottom of the first, starting pitcher Jonathan Hughes allowed just one walk and held Saratoga scoreless over four innings. Hughes had six strikeouts, while allowing just two hits and three walks.
He helped himself out by picking off a runner at first. Hughes also had an outfield assist from center fielder Vince Hatakeyama, who threw out a runner at second base on a base hit.
In the top of the third inning, the Morgan Hill bats came alive. Hatakeyama led off with a single but was thrown out attempting to steal second base.
Ryan Evanger followed with a base hit. And with two outs, Billy Hill singled, and Johnson reached on an error. Adam Perez came through with a two-RBI single, staking Morgan Hill to a 2-0 lead.
After retiring the Saratoga hitters in the bottom of the inning, Matt Cummins, Danny Nelson, Hill and Johnson launched doubles. Cummins, Evanger (2-for-2, Nelson and Hill all scored, extending the lead to 6-0.
Kevin Grove came in to relieve Hughes and allowed one earned run over his two innings, striking out three. Grove was also aided by another outfield assist by Hatakeyama, who fired a strike to first base from right field on a hard hit.
In the sixth inning and with the bases loaded and two outs, Grove caught a difficult popup to end the rally.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, closer Johnson came in and retired the side in order with one strikeout.
Morgan Hill had 13 hits in the game and did not strike.
