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Power hitters, pitchers lead the 12s National All-Star squad
National 12s 3
The National 12-year-olds practice taking ground balls during a drill earlier in the week. - photo by EDDIE RUIZ/The Journal

The 12-year-old All-Star District 73 bracket will be stacked this season and the Turlock National squad is a reason why.

 

Already with a heavy squad in the Turlock American side, the National team looks almost identical, but has a few more power hitters on this year’s team.

 

The head coach for the National team will be Harpreet Singh and he will be assisted by Aaron Bates and Jamey Morris.

 

“I helped out in 10-year-olds last year and had these boys two years ago when they were 10s,” said Singh.

 

That 10-year-old group were District runner-ups but are two years wiser now.

 

A total of nine players will be returning from that team at the 12s level and it should provide the National side with an immediate threat.

 

“We have a strong team coming this year,” said Singh. “We have real strong pitching and defensively as well, we are looking sharp on defense.”

 

The team will look to lean on the arms of eight pitchers.

 

“We have great pitching, so if one gets in trouble, we have plenty,” said Singh. “We have a total of 13 kids so anywhere we go we will be ready to go. All of our pitchers can start if we needed it and also if they were needed as back-ups they are ready to go.”

 

Look for Christian Romero, Sergio Romo and Josh Leonardo to provide the team with the top three in the rotation.

 

Romo and Julian Rosales will look to make a splash in the outfield and hitting wise this team is capable of keeping up with any team. In fact, nine of the 13 players had three home-runs or more for the year.

 

On the roster, Leonardo led the league during the regular season with nine homers and Rosales was second with eight bombs.

 

“Batting wise we should be good as well,” said Singh. “I expect them to go out and have fun.”

 

Ethan Camren, David Casas, Hector Ceras, Joseph Crivelli, Luke Fountain, Chase Gilbreth, Matt Morris, Joseph Pagola, and Blake Teeples are the other players on the roster.

 

The Nationals will begin tournament play against the American team at Julien at 4 p.m. Tuesday.