It was a shaky start for the Turlock American 10-year-old All-Stars, who opened up their Section 6 tournament play with an unfortunate 7-4 loss to Northgate on Saturday from Julien Field.
The Americans were able to rally after the defeat and went on to top Hoover Tyler from Stockton in Monday's 10-5 decision that was highlighted by a seven-run inning in the fifth.
“We were down a bit and the dugout picked up,” said American head coach Kirk Johnson. “What I said in the dugout its very organic, you felt the energy in there. The kids were able to overcome a moment but did it themselves and it was good to see.”
Saturday's game wasn't the case at the hands of Northgate.
The Americans struggled to tack on more than four runs for the entire game and only had one inning where they scored one run or more.
“Northgate's starter was good,” said Johnson. “He threw very well and we didn't play well.”
Nobody had multiple hits for the game and as a team they only accumulated five total hits and left seven runners on base.
With their backs against the wall in an elimination game, the 10s were able to overcome the pressure in Monday's game with Hoover Tyler with one very intense inning.
Down 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Americans put together a seven-run rally that started with a Bubba Lujan single.
Robert York then followed with a walk along with Carson Gonzales and then Harry Clark was able to drill a two-run double to make it 5-5.
Clayton Cornell followed with an RBI hit and Jordan Mikkelson smacked a two-run double over the shortstop's head to make it 8-5 before two more runs were added to make it 10-5.
“Offensively, Harry Clark and Jordy Mikkelsen came up with big hits,” said Johnson. “When we needed big hits they came through with doubles, it was hard hits, so those were huge hits and brought in four of seven from the inning and we were waiting to see that and they came through.”
Daniel Mazon started the game and went 1 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on just a hit and striking out two.
“We've been riding our four horses, first seven games from District till now and all have been outstanding but Rob York did great last night,” said Johnson.
Lujan, Gonzales and York came in to relieve and combined to pitch 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, while striking out nine and walking two.
“It was tough but once we got to their bullpen, we had huge big hits with it and had two huge clutch hits since we spoke of the contagious thing,” Johnson added. “And it helped in that situation that we were in.”
Mazon and Lujan were both 2 for 4 with an RBI each. York was a perfect 3 for 3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Clark was 1 for 1 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI.
Cornell was 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored and Mikkelson was 1 for 2 with two RBI.
