Gilroy – The last two Gilroy hopefuls in the District 39 Little League All-Star tournaments have been eliminated.
On Thursday, in Pool B of the minor league tournament in Watsonville, the Gilroy American team fell 16-0 to Scotts Valley in a game that was called in the fourth inning because of the 10-run rule. The American team bowed out in the pool’s fourth place spot.
The following day in Santa Cruz at the 11-year-olds all-star tournament, the Gilroy American team in that division lost in a tight 1-0 heartbreaker that was quite the defensive and pitching spectacle.
One costly error allowed Watsonville to score its only run of the game in the first inning. Besides that, American manager John Price said his team – and Watsonville – played some excellent baseball.
In a classic pitcher’s duel, Gilroy’s Mike Price, who went the distance for American while striking out six, and Watsonville American’s hurler allowed just four hits each. Neither pitcher had any walks, either.
“At this level, that’s pretty special,” John Price said.
Price said the entire team played solid defense. Some highlight plays were made by centerfielder Ian Carabarin, first baseman Allen Cooper and leftfielder Justin Nelson. Carabarin made a catch in the outfield and then doubled off the runner at third. At first, Cooper made a diving stop and then tagged the base to get the runner out.
“We played such a strong game defensively,” Price said.
The wind was taken out of Gilroy American’s sails by a controversial play in the third inning.
A Carabarin single sent home a Gilroy runner from third and would have tied the game 1-1. But the umpire called the runner back, saying he left the bag too early.
Carabarin led the Gilroy offense with a 2-for-3 effort. Cooper and Daniel Luna each had doubles for the fifth-place team.
