Ace throws shutout in district title game

Phil Salazar likes to go to one player whenever his Turlock American East All-Stars in the 12-year-old Little League division are in a tough spot. It's because he's a proven talent who doesn't get rattled very easily.

Turlock seniors capture top District 10

In a way, the Turlock All-Stars Little League Seniors knew they were going to arrive at this point.

AE successfully defends district title

There was no way Phil Salazar was going to do it. The coach of the Turlock American East Little League All-Stars in the age 12 division didn't want to say that only one or two players have been important to the team's success this season.

Turlock All-Stars rally late to earn extra-inning win

When things began to look uncertain, the Turlock Senior All-Stars huddled up near the dugout at Pedretti Sports Complex. Coach Ben Cantrell said a few words and the players listened.

Turlock American suffers tough loss in extra-inning thriller

It wasn't supposed to end like this. The Turlock American Little League All-Stars of the 13-14 age division were ahead from the very start, but unfortunately things happened on their way to a tough 3-2 loss in extra innings to the Chowchilla All-Stars at Pedretti Sports Complex on Monday night. The crowd was stunned, especially at how it ended. Aaron Deatherage walked in for the game-winning score after Chowchilla teammate Jacob Roduner got beamed. "It's ...

Season ending

Turlock American All-Stars player Tristan Parker winds up for a pitch during his team's 12-2 loss to the Madera American All-Stars at Julien Park on Thursday night in the 9-to-10 years old Little League division. The defeat ended the season for Turlock American, which fell behind 7-2 after three innings, and then gave up five more runs in the bottom of the fourth to end the game due to the 10-run mercy run. However, there ...

Ace dominates in win

"Dominated" is a word that isn't used too often when it comes to Little League, a place where most of the athletes are not just learning about the basics of baseball but in some cases figuring out where to stand during announcements of the starting lineups.

Camp introduces new sports to children

The kids were all hot and sweaty, and they still wanted more. A group of local kids had just finished their second session of the Westside Ministries Sports Mania at Wakefield Elementary on Tuesday morning. They got a dose of kickball and ultimate Frisbee, sports they don't see too often. But program director Lydio Banana lost track of time, using some of it to explain the basic rules of the unfamiliar sport of ultimate Frisbee. ...

Bruins dominate to win league title

There was only one way the Bruins were going to win the Turlock Girls Softball Championship on Monday. And that was to dominate.

Local youth team earns soccer championship

It was a tough task for the Turlock Fire Elite U-15 boys soccer team - to play five games in three days.

City champions

The Junior Diamondbacks were on the verge of a disaster, as their best pitcher was close to reaching his pitch-count limit and their opponents, who had redemption in their hearts, wanted to be the ultimate spoilers. This was in the top of the sixth inning, when the Junior Angels were eager to explode for a few scores.

Sports program helps keep kids off street

These kids could have easily stayed at home, maybe watch some cartoons while having their favorite plate of food in front of them. Or perhaps find something more troublesome to do.

Diamondbacks overcome rally, ready for title game

After blowing a big lead to pieces, the Junior Diamondbacks of the Turlock Little League did not panic.

CVA has new coach, new summer swim program

Central Valley Aquatics swim club has been a competitive swim team since 1958. Over its 51 years, the team has seen many athletes and coaches come and go. This April, the team saw a familiar face return to coach the team for a third time.

LITTLE LEAGUE: CHAMPS

The American East Angels put their bats to work Friday night, capturing a 13-0 win over the American East Yankees for the city major league title. Marcus Lopez and Jesse Gardenas led the Angels' bats; Lopez with two homeruns and Gardenas with a grand slam.

Turlock American turns tables on Los Banos

The 11-year-old Turlock American All-Stars helped themselves to a plate of vengeance and victory this past weekend, defeating the Los Banos American All-Stars in a two-game series to claim the District 73 Little League All-Star Championship. "When they beat us earlier in the tournament we were really flat and over confident," American head coach Nathan Mirza said. "We all agreed we weren't going to let that happen again." Los Banos' 11-1 victory ...

Junior American All-Stars take title

Modesto Babe Ruth wins State Championship

Modesto Babe Ruth won the Central California State Championship in Hollister on Sunday, their fourth State Title in four years, defeating San Benito 11-2. The championship win advances Modesto to the Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament, which will be held in Watsonville on Sunday. "Things were rocky at the start of the tournament, but we turned things around in the second game," Modesto's head coach Bobby Swedberg said. "Once we got into the championship ...

American All-Stars blow out Turlock National for championship

The 10-year-old Turlock American All-Stars left nothing to chance when they faced the Turlock National All-Stars in a two-game series for the District 73 Little League Championship this week. After losing to Yosemite in the second round and battling through the losers' bracket, Turlock American defeated the National All-Stars 7-2 on Monday and 24-2 on Tuesday. "It was definitely a challenge, but I think playing through the losers' bracket was good for us," ...

Nationals pull ahead for 12-year-old All-Star victory

Thursday's semi-final between the 12-year-old American and National All-Stars in the California District 73 Little League All-Star Tournament was closely contested from the start. Both teams scored two first-inning runs, exciting fans from both sides who went to Soderquist Park expecting an interesting game. The National All-Stars pulled ahead in the second inning and never looked back though, denying the American All-Stars any more runs in the 7-2 victory. "The damage was ...

American All-Stars face Los Banos American in finals

Turlock's 11-year-old National and American All-Stars met at Julien Field on Thursday to determine who would advance to today's California District 79 Little League Championship game. The American All-Stars jumped onto the board early and continued to tack on the runs with a steady stream of offense in their five-inning, 13-2 victory. "I knew that if we went out and swung the bat we'd pretty much be unstoppable," American coach Nathan Mirza said. ...

10-year-olds to play in District championship game

The 10-year-old Turlock National All-Stars showcased an aggressive offense on Thursday, defeating the Yosemite All-Stars 15-5 at Soderquist Park. The National All-Stars are now in Monday's California District 73 Little League Championship game where they will face the winner of today's matchup between Yosemite and the Turlock American All-Stars. "It's been unexpected," National coach Rob Tury said. "The kids really came together and played well." The National All-Stars broke the game open ...

Junior All-Stars one win away

After defeating the Atwater All-Stars 9-3 in the first round of the California District 73 Junior Little League Tournament and edging out the Los Banos All-Stars 6-3 on Thursday, the Turlock American All-Stars are set to play for the district championship today against either Los Banos or Atwater.

Modesto Babe Ruth defeats Tracy, continues hunt for state title

It was a tense night in Hollister for the players of Modesto Babe Ruth. In their first-round matchup against Tracy, Modesto found themselves trailing by three runs for the majority of the game. Luckily, the team was able to turn things around in the second half of the game and claim victory, 8-3. "You don't go into a game expecting to be trailing 3-0," Modesto's Coach Bobby Swedberg said. "The team gave us ...

12-year old National and American All-Stars to meet in semi-finals

The Turlock American and Turlock National All-Stars blew through the 12-year-old bracket of the California District 73 Little League All-Star Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, crushing their opponents and setting up an in-town, semi-final game on Thursday. The American All-Stars opened up the tournament against the Los Banos National All-Stars on Saturday and wasted no time jumping onto the scoreboard. Aaron Hayner struck first with a two-run shot into right field which was ...

National All-Stars advance to semi-finals

After walloping the Sierra All-Stars on Saturday, the Turlock National All-Stars 10-year-olds skirted past the Los Banos American All-Stars, 4-3, in the second round of the California District 73 Little League All-Star Tournament on Sunday. The back to back victories earned the National All-Stars a spot in Thursday's semi-final game against the Yosemite All-Stars. "They're very excited to be in the semi-finals," National coach Rob Tury said. Saturday's first round matchup saw ...

Local baseball players headed to Babe Ruth State Tournament

After a one loss regular season, the Modesto Twins have earned the right to compete in this year's Babe Ruth Central Valley State Tournament which begins on Thursday in Hollister. The Twins, who won the state tournament in 2008, 2009, and 2010, will face Tracy in the first round of the five-team, double elimination tournament. Whichever team claims the state crown will advance to the Southwest Regional Tournament in Watsonville on July 12. ...

Turlock youth boxer wins first amateur bout

Jose Gonzalez got his first taste of competition and victory on Saturday when he faced Fresno's Jonathan Garcia during Modesto Police Athletic League's "Throwdown in Motown" event at The Maddox Youth Center in Modesto. Gonzales' road to his first victory began three months ago when inspiration drove the 13-year-old to take boxing seriously. Since then, the 90-pound Turlocker has been working tirelessly at the Delhi Boxing Club, preparing his mind and body for ...

New Junior Champs in town

After four innings, the National Giants held a 5-0 lead over the American Angels in the Junior Little League City Championship on Friday, utilizing accurate pitching and a strong defense to stifle their opponents. The momentum was clearly on the side of the Giants as the Angels stepped up to the plate in the top of the fifth inning, but all that would soon change. With one out and two runners on base, ...

Another American Championship

The American Angels put together a stunning comeback in the top of the fifth inning against the National Giants during Friday's Junior Little League City Championship at Atch Pedretti Field. The Angels' six-run inning erased the Giants' five-run lead and resulted in a 10-5 championship victory for the American Leaguers. The Angels took advantage of a slew of Giant errors, capitalizing with big hits and smart base running. More information on the ...