The Palo Alto Oaks returned to their winning ways by sweeping two games on Sunday from the San Mateo Rounders in Western Baseball Association action at Baylands Athletic Center, 9-7 and 10-0.
Palo Alto (11-1) held on to the lead in a very competitive first game before San Mateo melted in the second game, shortened by the 10-run mercy rule.
Gunn High grad Graham Fisher started Game 1 and cruised through the first four innings, allowing only one unearned run. The Rounders’ bats came alive in the fifth inning, chasing Fisher from the mound.
Oaks manager Greg Matson replaced Fisher with Jacob Naval, who finally ended the damage but not before the Rounders had tied the score at 7. The Oaks scored two runs in the sixth inning, making Naval a winner. Sacred Heart Prep grad Will Nahmens took over for Naval and held the Rounders scoreless over the final three innings to earn the save.
The Oaks’ Casey Thompson led all hitters with three hits, including a double and triple, while driving in three runs. Designated hitter Danny Ordonez contributed two hits, also driving in three runs.
In Game 2, Oaks veteran Ricky Navarro (also from Gunn High) pitched a complete-game shutout in a contest that ended after the fifth inning. Navarro allowed only four hits over his five innings of work, striking out four and walking one.
San Mateo’s pitchers allowed seven walks while its defense committed three errors — allowing the Oaks to score their 10 runs on only six hits. Palo Alto third baseman Pedro Tostado had two of those hits in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Oaks scored nine of their runs.
The Oaks return to action this Sunday with another doubleheader against longtime rival Fontanetti’s, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Sarge Casey Field at Baylands.
In California Collegiate League action, the Menlo Park Legends dropped a 6-2 decision to the PUF Capitalist on Sunday at Gunn High after beating PUF on Friday (4-2) and Saturday (12-6).
The teams will meet Tuesday at Gunn and Wednesday at Palo Alto High, both at 5 p.m.
Babe Ruth
The Palo Alto 15-year-old all-stars will take on Mountain View in a District 6 elimination game on Monday at Baylands Athletic Center starting at 7 p.m.
A victory will send Palo Alto into Wednesday’s championship game against Belmont Blue at 5:30 p.m. Palo Alto needs to win twice on the final day to claim the district title.
Palo Alto, however, already has clinched a berth in the NorCal State Tournament, which begins July 19 in Belmont and thus is just playing for seeding purposes in the district tourney.
The Palo Alto 13s, which won their two-team district tourney last week, open NorCal State action on Saturday in Vallejo at 4 p.m., while the 14s will open the same day, in Woodland, at 10 a.m.
Little League
The Alpine/West Menlo 10-11 all-stars reached the championship game of the District 52 tournament following a 6-2 victory over Foster City on Sunday at the Belmont Sports Complex.
Alpine will play undefeated San Mateo National on Monday at 5:30 p.m., and needs a victory to force a challenge game on Sunday, also at 5:30 p.m.
In the District 52 tourney for 11-12 all-stars, Palo Alto American couldn’t follow up its big victory over Palo Alto National and dropped a 7-4 decision to San Mateo American in the consolation semifinals on Sunday.
San Mateo American will play Belmont/Redwood Shores in the consolation finals on Monday, with the winner facing unbeaten Pacifica American for the title on Tuesday at Kiwanis Field in Red Morton Park in Redwood City.
In the 9-10 all-star tourney in Portola Valley, the last remaining local team (Alpine/West Menlo) was eliminated on Friday. Pacifica American will face unbeaten San Mateo American for the title on Monday at Ford Field at 5:30 p.m.
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports