Majors
The Gilroy Rangers remained undefeated in the Tournament of Champions after a come-from-behind 10-9 victory over Santa Cruz American in extra innings Saturday.
The Rangers will play Wednesday at 5pm against Santa Cruz National. If they win, they will advance to the championship game Friday.
Gilroy gave up four runs in the first innings but picked away at the lead. After Santa Cruz took the lead in the top of the seventh inning, the Rangers answered back. Patrick Mank walked and Rapheal Garcia, who hit his second home run in two games – a solo shot in the first inning – was given the intentional pass. With no out, Andrew Santiago hit a double to bring in both runs.
“It was all the kids. It had nothing to do with us,” said coach Jim Pirnik. “There were a couple players in dugout trying to get the team going. They really pulled themselves together and believed in themselves.”
The Rangers were down 8-4 in the sixth inning but put together a string of six consecutive base hits to tie the game.
Gilroy drew within 4-2 in the second inning after Nick Aleverez led off with a walk and Michael Pirnik hit a double to left field to bring him in.
Gilroy got two more runs in the fourth on runs scored by Mank and Marcus Lopez.
Mank came in to pitch the final four innings in the fourth inning to help quiet the Santa Cruz offense.
Minors American
The Gilroy Yankees used a consistent scoring attack to defeat San Lorenzo Valley 10-3 Saturday at Aptos Junior High to advance to the final four of the TOC. They will play Scotts Valley, who beat the Gilroy Cubs, Wednesday at 5:30pm. A win would put them into the championship game Friday.
The Yankees scored in every inning accept the first. Ryan Fredricks pitched the entire six innings and had 13 strikeouts.
Gilroy had solid defense from Alex Vega, Adam Gonzales, Travis Hill, Kyle Doughty, Dillon Calimpong, Ray Aguirre and Andrew Burdick.
The offensive highlights were provided by Jaylyn Gallardo, Fredricks, Zachary Loo and Daniel Cortez.
“I feel pretty confident,” said coach David Gallardo. “We’ll be at our best. Both No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers will be eligible to pitch again. But the championship will come down to who has the best No. 3 and 4 pitchers.”
Minors National
The Gilroy Cubs will have a long road ahead of them if they are to play their American League counterpart in the championship. Gilroy lost 5-3 to the Scotts Valley Reds Saturday but then came back to defeat the Watsonville Marlins, who they beat in the first game of the tournament, 9-4 Monday.
Gilroy continues the double-elimination tournament Wednesday against San Lorenzo Valley at Aptos Junior High.
The Cubs will need to win four more games this week for the championship.
Brandon Silvera had good games offensively. He had a hit to right field Saturday and then was 2-for-2 Monday.
Brandon Holler had a bunt Saturday and made it all the way around to third on overthrows.
Gilroy started off with a 2-1 lead, but Scotts Valley scored two in the third and two in the fifth.
On Monday, Bailey Schipper pitched two innings, Kenny Dipco pitched three and Andrew Wood pitched for the first time in the tournament for the Cubs to close it off.
Gilroy scored three runs in the first inning and six in the second. Schipper had two singles and a double, Brandon Holler went 4-for-4, Andrew Wood went 2-for-3 with a walk and Andreu Bartholic had a single, walk and RBI.
