14U baseball team takes second in Modesto Tourney to earn berth
into Winter Nationals in Phoenix, Ariz.
MODESTO – The Silicon Valley Ballistik qualified for the Super Series Winter Nationals by taking second place in the 14-under baseball tournament at Rainbow Fields in Modesto.
The local ball club, made up of boys from Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Jose, won back-to-back games on Saturday before battling it out for the championship in two games against the Central Valley Rebels.
After fighting to a 1-1 tie in the first game against the Rebels, Silicon Valley dropped the second game to finish the tournament. The Ballistik earned a trip to the Super Series Winter Nationals on Dec. 27 through Jan. 4, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Sunday afternoon was crunch time for Gilroy – which was playing for a chance to go for the tournament championship. Eric Torres took the mound against the Rebels – a strong hitting, top rated team from the Central Valley. The Rebels already had three titles and were looking to make it once again. Torres pitched a masterful game – allowing five hits, striking out five and issuing no walks.
The Ballistik defense came through with solid efforts from second baseman Alex Oberle, centerfielder Kevin Orepeza and first baseman Charlie Duffy – who recorded eight outs.
The Rebels managed to score one run, but the Ballistik was not about to call it a game until they tied the score with a run in the fifth frame on an error. The final remained 1-1 as both teams faced off again in the championship – which the Rebels won.
The Ballistik took the field against Pleasant Hill on Saturday and opened with a 4-1 victory. Kawika Palacios took charge on the mound – striking out 10 batters and allowing two hits and four free passes to first. The defense came through strong for Palacios – recording 11 put-outs, one coming on a pick off form Palacios to shortstop Roberto Celestino. The locals allowed only one run, resulting from back-to-back walks and a couple of sacrifices on the part of Pleasant Hill. The Ballistik scored four runs on strong hitting from Celestino, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double.
Palacios helped himself out by going 1-for-2 and drawing two walks. Taylor O’Connel displayed some strong hitting with long shots to the outfield and scoring during the game. Charlie Durry, Chris Salter, and Kevin Sullivan also registered singles to defeat the Pleasant Hill Barbary Coast.
In the second game against the California Outlaws, the Ballistik powered their way to an 8-4 victory. The Outlaws scored once in the first inning when they had seven batters come to the plate, taking advantage of James Lafuente’s slow start on the hill. Lafuente walked four, but struck out the side. The starting pitcher found his rhythm and proceeded to strike out five in the next three frames and not allowing another hit until the fifth.
The Outlaws were able to score three more runs as Lafuente again struggled with his control – walking three and giving up three singles. But Lafuente came back with excellent calling of catcher, O’Connel. Requesting the fastball, they were able to strike the Outlaws last hope at the plate, leaving the bases loaded.
The Ballistik offense was more than the Outlaws could handle – banging out eight runs. The bats of Celestino and O’Connel stayed hot as the night got cold. Celestino went 3-for-3, including a single, double, triple and a walk. O’Connel had four singles. Also contributing were Palacios and Salter with singles. Scoring also came from Torres and Kevin Sullivan as they drew walks and were advanced by the Ballistik bats.
