27 teams competed in the two-day tournament
Dutchman’s Pizza rolled to a 6-0 record and the championship of the 21st annual Men’s Garlic Festival Softball Tournament held over the weekend on four local fields.
Joel Gaeta lashed two home runs and Benji Casarez and Gabe Duenas each posted a double and two singles as Dutchman’s capped the event with a 14-4 nod over runner-up JR’s Crew-California Silk Screening Sunday evening at Gavilan Sports Park.
A field of 27 teams led to 52 games, including 38 on Saturday. Gavilan Sports Park, the major and minor fields at Christmas Hill Park, and Las Animas Park were used by teams from Gilroy, Hollister, San Jose, Salinas and Newark.
JR’s Crew-Cal Silk and Czar Construction each battled through the heat and the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination event to reach the final four. Sponsors of the top eight clubs receive trophies, while members of the top four teams also receive event t-shirts.
Dutchman’s earned three victories Saturday, three more on Sunday in defeating each opponent by double digits. The champions opened with a 17-7 win over Pro Electric, then topped JR’s Crew-Cal Silk 15-3 and Jus 2 Party 17-7.
Sunday play opened with a 19-5 Dutchman’s decision over Louie & the Outlaws. In a battle of the final two unbeatens, Dutchman’s turned back Bad News 19-5.
JR’s Crew-California Silk Screening opened its seven-game winning streak in the loser’s bracket with a 21-0 blanking of Dutchman’s Pizza (Lugo). The Crew completed the night’s action with a 24-11 victory over J&J Air.
JR’s Crew-Cal Silk began play Sunday at 9am and was given just one game off before finally dropping the contest to Dutchman’s in the finals. The Crew topped the First Timers 22-3, On-U 16-4, Louie & the Outlaws 15-5, Czar Construction 14-5 and Bad News 15-5.
Juan Gutierrez went 4-for-4 Saturday as Bad News opened a three-game winning streak with a 17-9 verdict over STF of Salinas. Bad News powered past the First Timers 13-4, then defeated VFW Vets 18-4 to reach the semi-finals.
Czar Construction of Gilroy opened its journey to fourth place with a 14-0 blanking of On-U. The First Timers edged Czar 16-15, but the Builders added wins over 2NQ 9-1 and Letona’s Bashers 15-4 to complete Saturday play. Czar was able to defeat Jus 2 Party 21-10, PJ’s Boys 18-5 and the VFW Vets 11-0 before falling to the Crew in the fourth-place game.
Louie & the Outlaws and VFW Vets, both from Gilroy, shared fifth-place honors. PJ’s Boys and On-U finished with seventh-place award.
Campbell’s Towing and Dan Keith Septics each earned two wins Saturday. Campbell’s stopped Dr. Tile 18-3 and the Lord’s Gym 10-2. Dan Keith Septics defeated the Loco Boys 16-14 and Deadman Inc. 17-5.
